PM may skip his maiden foreign visit

Unrest over inflated electricity bills may force Kakar to cancel plans for trip to Nairobi

ISLAMABAD:

Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar is likely to cancel his maiden foreign visit amid turmoil in the country over inflated electricity bills and hike in petroleum prices.

Hours after Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch confirmed at a weekly news briefing here on Friday that the prime minister would undertake a three-day official visit to Kenya, official sources said now the Prime Minister’s Office had a second thought.

“It is likely that the prime minister will cancel the trip. Foreign Office was conveyed by the Prime Minister’s Office on Friday night about the decision,” according to sources familiar with the development.

The likely cancellation of the visit stems from the public backlash the caretaker government has to deal with after inflated electricity bills and rise in oil prices. Protests have been taking place in different parts of the country as people have been seeking a relief.

The prime minister was thought to be advised to review the decision of his visit to Kenya as this might trigger further public anger. The other reason that may have compelled the prime minister to call off the visit is the evolving political situation in the country.

The sources said that the president was contemplating to announce an election date on his own, something that may further deepen the political crisis.

Earlier, the Foreign Office spokesperson said the prime minister was to pay a three-day official visit to Nairobi, Kenya from Monday to participate in the Africa Climate Summit. Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani would also accompany the prime minister, spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch added.

The visit was taking place at the invitation of President William Samoei Ruto of Kenya. The sources said that Foreign Minister Jilani would likely represent Pakistan at the Climate summit.

Meanwhile, the spokesperson said that there was no announcement from either side about the visit of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman to Pakistan. "There has been no announcement from our side and we have not shared any details of any high-level visit from Saudi Arabia,” Baloch said.

“When such a visit takes place and we have confirmed information and both sides agree to announce the visit we will make an announcement at the time," Baloch, replied when asked about reports of possible visit of the Saudi crown prince.

The de facto Saudi ruler is set to attend the G20 summit in New Delhi next week. There were reports that he might stop over in Islamabad on his way to India.

Responding to another question, the spokesperson denied that Pakistan was supplying arms to Ukraine against Russia. "I think the comment itself is clear that such reports are not confirmed. And Pakistan's position is very clear. Pakistan continues to maintain neutrality between Russia and Ukraine in this dispute,” she said.

“We have long standing ties with both countries, and there is no change in Pakistan's position," she added, while responding to a question about the statement by Russia’s ambassador to India in which he reportedly said that he was aware the reports regarding Pakistan supplying weapons to Ukraine.