WASHINGTON (Sami Ibrahim): Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will focus on the “real needs of the Pakistani people” during her upcoming vitally important visit to Pakistan and talks with the country’s leadership, the Obama Administration’s envoy for the region said.

“She is bringing a message of friendship and support to a country under tremendous pressure. She is going to discuss the IDPs issue. She is going to focus on the real needs of the Pakistani people”, Richard Holbrooke, Special Representative for Pakistan and Afghanistan, said Saturday evening.

Holbrooke spoke to reporters at the residence of Ambassador at-Large Rafat Mahmood, who hosted an event on the initiative of the American Pakistan Foundation that aims at bolstering socio-economic development of Pakistanis.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will formally launch the initiative later this year.

During the visit – due to take place soon – Hillary Clinton would meet Pakistani leadership inside the government and outside, Holbrooke added.

He said Secretary Clinton has been to the country previously and has many friends in Pakistan.

Secretary Clinton’s visit is taking place at a time when Pakistan is striving to overcome multiple energy; economic and terrorism challenges.

“I think this is one of the most important trips she has made since she became Secretary of State and I think the whole world will be watching.”

“And I want to stress that she comes to Pakistan as a friend, not with conditions but with support for the democratically elected government and the people of Pakistan,” Holbrooke remarked.

The visit will signify President Barack Obama’ support for the key South Asian ally, which is considered critical to US anti-terrorism efforts in the region.

“She is going to be speaking about the needs of the people of Pakistan and the ways the people of the United States can help the people of Pakistan.”

“This is a people-to-people trip. It’s an expression of the support of President Obama and his administration,” Holbrooke said amid expectations in the Pakistani media that the Secretary would announce a major initiative on energy partnership.