State visit: Mursi accepts Zardari’s invitation to visit Islamabad

Afghanistan, global terrorism, Middle East politics, matters of bilateral interest will figure in talks.


Qaiser Butt February 19, 2013
Egyptian President Mohamed Mursi. PHOTO: REUTERS/FILE

ISLAMABAD:


Egyptian President Mohamed Mursi is scheduled to fly into Islamabad on a day-long visit on March 18 to hold talks with his Pakistani counterpart, Asif Ali Zardari on pressing regional and international issues, an official source said.


“Mursi will be visiting Pakistan on an invitation from President Zardari,” the source said, adding that Mursi will travel to New Delhi from Islamabad on a state visit.

There is no particular agenda for the talks, the source said. However, issues such as Afghanistan, global terrorism, Middle East politics and matters of bilateral interest will figure in talks.

Mursi had previously cancelled his visit to Islamabad where he was scheduled to attend the Developing-8 nations’ summit on November 22, 2012.

He will be the first Egyptian leader to visit Pakistan in 37 years. In 1974, the then Egyptian leader Anwar Sadat had attended the second OIC summit in Lahore hosted by Zulfikar Ali Bhutto.

An address to the specially convened joint session of Parliament, meetings with key political leaders are also part of his schedule.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 19th, 2013.

COMMENTS (9)

Asad Munir | 11 years ago | Reply parliament? which one? current parliament would stand dissolved on 16th March. Mursi is coming on 18th.
p r sharma | 11 years ago | Reply

Mursi is the leader who through constitutional decree( said to be for temporary period) acquired sweeping powers .By issuing this constitutional declaration, President Mohamed Morsi directly attacked the judicial branch, the rule of law, and indeed the very concept of the modern state. The president, thus acquired authority beyond those enjoyed by any president or monarch in Egypt's modern history, dealt a lethal blow to the Egyptian judiciary, thereby declaring the beginning of a new dictatorship in which it was not permitted to oppose the president, criticize his policies, or challenge his decisions... This speaks of his mind to tackle problems in achieving his perceived goals, alleged to be implementation of Sharaia law.

Due to vehement protest by all walks of the society the declaration was annulled on 8th Dec. 2012. . However, Pakistan should seize the opportunity for better bilateral trade protecting own interests.

VIEW MORE COMMENTS
Replying to X

Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.

For more information, please see our Comments FAQ