Pakistan

Zardari to make short trip to Russia

President Asif Ali Zardari has cut short his visit to few hours only in view of the floods in the country.

August 16, 2010

MOSCOW: President Asif Ali Zardari will attend the four-party summit of the presidents of Russia, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Tajikistan in Sochi on Wednesday, the Kremlin press service reported on Monday.

On the sidelines of the summit Russian President Dmitry Medvedev is expected to hold bilateral talks with his Afghan counterpart Hamid Karzai and President Asif Ali Zardari, who in view of the floods in the country has cut short his visit to few hours only.

Pakistan president spokesperson Farhatullah Babar had said that the original schedule for the presidents two day visit to Russia for participation in the quadrilateral summit was finalised several weeks ago. However, in view of the floods the president has cut the visit short to a few hours to attend only the summit on August 18.

The president will not participate in the lunch hosted in honour of the heads of states and will return to the country the same day, he said.

Talks with Tajik President Emomali Rakhmon, who will be in Russia on a working visit from August 18 to August 20, are scheduled for later, the sources said according to Itar Tass news agency.

The first four-party summit within such format was held last summer in Dushanbe. At that point, the Russian leader noted that a new format of cooperation was being born.

He stressed that all main issues – from economic cooperation to fight against drug trafficking and terrorism – could be discussed in such format

COMMENTS (12)

Hammad Humayun | 14 years ago | Reply Criticism on Zardari’s visit is still going because some elements do not want to spare government for a single movement. This is like lining up with those cheap writers that want to blacken the present government on one pretext or the other. Zardari is not the Chief Executive of the country. For all intents and purposes, PM Gilani is the Chief Executive of the country as per 18th Amendment. This all important visit to England was meant for Gilani to do. But the havoc played by flood compelled him to remain in the country and Zardari went. Pakistan had to tell in a befitting reply to British PM what nonsense he uttered in New Delhi. Pakistan had to reply that she had options to review war against terrorism if such stupid remarks were continued to be made against her. Similarly in wake of the current situation the recent visit to Russia was mandatory as we need help and it is important to mobilize the world to help out Pakistan in this critical situation.

yousaf | 14 years ago | Reply But as nice hosts the Russians should not see off our President with empty stomach, they should atleast give him some packed food so he can eat enroute Pakistan.

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rehan | 14 years ago | Reply Russian Shoes..get set go!!

Khurram | 14 years ago | Reply Whether he goes for 2 days, or 4 hours- his protocol and its cost alone will damage the economy either way. Why couldn't this be postponed- any responsible president would have.

acenith harper | 14 years ago | Reply short trip ? taxpayers still paying for the plane carrying him and his entourage !!! people we r short of cash , pleading ,begging for aid !! heavens sake cant afford trips !! this money he is spending would have fed a few families in kp,punjab and sind !!

Natasha | 14 years ago | Reply Why is it the president making foreign trips and striking deals with other countries. Is that not what the 'chief executive' is supposed to do?

Usman | 14 years ago | Reply Maybe the President can save the money by not going at all. After all, it costs a lot to fill up those planes with jet fuel, pay for his security and trip-relate expenses. The saved money could then be utilized by the Government's own flood fund. In crises like these, it is acceptable and expected of heads of states to decline invitations for such 'necessary' and unnecessary events. Also which one of the Zardari kids will accompany him this time?

Aayan Mirza | 14 years ago | Reply Excellent... Here we should give full credit to our president.. and we should also criticize them if they are on wrong path.. but at least something good to hear from politics... Salute to Mr. Zardari....

Tanzeel | 14 years ago | Reply As if we care.

Ali Haider | 14 years ago | Reply Somebody stop me!!! We need more of these patriotic presidents who can 'sacrifice' a lunch for their country. Indeed we are proud of our president.

shazia ahmad | 14 years ago | Reply it is too g0od!!! hopefully they will bring mutual understandings.and will lead to friendly relationship betwwen the countries.president Zardari please invite them in our country.

Syed Nadir El-Edroos | 14 years ago | Reply What a sacrfice: The president will not participate in the lunch hosted in honour of the heads of states and will return to the country the same day, he said.

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