US asks Pakistan to attend the Bonn conference

Washington: The White House has asked Pakistan to attend the crucial international meet on Afghanistan in Bonn early next month.

Pakistan had on Tuesday announced not to participate in the conference in Bonn in Germany in protest against the killing of its 24 soldiers by NATO forces in a cross-border fire on the Af-Pak border over the weekend.

"We certainly urge Pakistan to participate in this conference. It's very important for the future of Afghanistan," White House Press Secretary, Jay Carney, told reporters.

"Pakistan obviously will play an important role in the future of Afghanistan, and we urge them to participate in the conference," Carney said in response to a question.