Visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi has, reportedly, declined going to Karachi for meeting President Asif Ali Zardari thus forcing latter to rush to Islamabad.
According to well-placed sources, the meeting between the high-profile Chinese delegation under the FM was initially scheduled at Islamabad.
“Due to President’ demanding engagements in Karachi, he had desired to meet the Chinese delegation in the provincial as well as financial capital of the country,” the sources told Online on Tuesday. “However, the delegation expressed its inability to travel to Karachi to meet the President and insisted on the venue and time earlier finalised, the sources added. The President, the sources said, immediately decided to move to Islamabad for the convenience of the high-value guests and expressing level of commitment Pakistan attaches to the neighbouring friendly country.
Presidential Spokesman Farhatullah Babar in an SMS reply to Online’ question stated, “The meeting was scheduled (to be held) in Islamabad.” Besides meeting the President and Prime Minister, the Chinese FM, whose delegation also, reportedly, includes intelligence officials, would also hold bilateral talks with his Pakistani counterpart Hina Khar. The delegation is also likely to meet the military leadership.
The sources further said that during his stay in Islamabad, the Chinese Foreign Minister would discuss bilateral ties, regional peace, energy crises in Pakistan and security situation while it is expected that the Chinese FM would also discuss about the issue of halted NATO supply through Pakistan.
The main reason for the refusal of the Chinese FM to travel to Karachi could be poor law and order situation in Karachi. Such is the distrust in the law enforcement agencies that foreign dignitaries do not feel safe to visit Karachi.
The Chinese are pragmatic.they do not want to take risks..All weather friendship is nice but safety is more important
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