During his stay, the Afghan leader is due to meet Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf, Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz and other officials. Karzai is expected to ask Pakistan to do more to stop the Taliban from launching raids from Pakistan into Afghanistan.

Afghanistan has suffered 15 suicide bombings since November, most claimed by the Taliban. Afghan officials question whether Pakistan is doing enough to stop militants from attacking from its soil.Pakistan denies helping Afghan insurgents but says some Taliban may be able to slip back and forth over the border.

Most Taliban are ethnic Pashtun with tribal links on both sides of the porous border.