PM Gilani Embarks On UK Official Visit

Islamabad, May 9, IRNA -- Pakistani Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani Tuesday left for United Kingdom on an eight-day official visit, the Prime Minister office said. He will be accompanied by a huge 70-person delegation during his trip. A media team of 21-members has already reached London. Those accompanying the Prime Minister are Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar, Awami National Party leader Asfandyar Wali Khan, Commerce Minister Makhdoom Ameen Faheem, Minister of Finance Dr Hafeez Sheikh, Minister of Investment Saleem Mandiwala, parliamentarians from PML-Q, MQM and PPP lawmakers and senior officials. After being convicted by Pakistan’s Supreme Court of contempt for defying its orders to write to the Swiss authorities for the reopening of corruption cases, this will be PM Gilani’s first visit to any foreign country. A source at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that this is going to be a packed visit in which the premier will hold meetings with the Duke of York, will attend a reception for UK parliamentarians, will hold dialogue on enhancing strategic dialogue with David Cameron; Conservative Friends of Pakistan group will be launched; and meetings have been arranged with London Stock Exchange officials and heads of the companies doing business in Pakistan. The source added that the premier will also address a Pakistani business community dinner in London, besides holding a press conference for ethnic and English media. A spokesperson at the Foreign & Commonwealth Office said: “We continue to make preparations for Prime Minister Gilani’s visit to the UK. The decision of the Pakistan Supreme Court last week relating to the prime minister is an internal matter for Pakistan.”/end