In an effort to defuse the Pakistani political crisis, the American ambassador, Anne W. Patterson, traveled to see the opposition leader Nawaz Sharif to urge him to reconcile with Pakistan\u2019s president, Mr. Sharif said.<\/p>\n
Later on Thursday, the Obama administration\u2019s special envoy to Pakistan, Richard C. Holbrooke, spoke by video conference call to Pakistan\u2019s president, Asif Ali Zardari, Mr. Zardari\u2019s office announced. Mr. Holbrooke also spoke to Mr. Sharif by telephone, Mr. Holbrooke\u2019s office said.<\/p>\n
The involvement of two senior American officials prompted speculation here that the United States was trying to broker a deal that would ease the standoff between the rivals and end the potential for violence as a coalition of opposition and citizens\u2019 groups prepared for a march that the government had banned.<\/p>\n