ISLAMABAD – Head of USAID surprised Pakistan by diverting his scheduled visit to India, well-placed sources told Online on Sunday. According to the sources, chief of parties or commonly known as head of the projects being funded or initiated by the USAID Administrator Rajiv Shah was scheduled to visit Pakistan. But he diverted his visit to India, the sources added.
Last time he visited Pakistan in August 2010 for a review of projects due by then, however, unprecedented floods last year consumed his entire time in Pakistan. Therefore, the sources said, projects and decisions seeking his nod were to be finalized during this visit. “There was no announcement of the Pakistan visit scheduled of the USAID head,” said an official spokesperson of the US Embassy in Islamabad.
Asked whether Shah was in India at present, she said, “I don’t know… that I’d have to check about. He could have given indication at any level that he might visit here at an appropriate time, But I am sure that much for that there was no schedule was cancelled or diverted,” she added.
