Chinese President Xi Jinping’s trip to Pakistan has been postponed after his security team denied giving him clearance to visit the country.
The news of the cancellation came hours after the Foreign Office spokesperson, Tasnim Aslam said the visit was still “intact”.
A private news channel reported quoting National Security Advisor Sartaj Aziz that the Chinese side called off the visit due to the fragile security situation in Islamabad.
Xi’s security delegation was in Islamabad on Wednesday to review the security situation in light of the protests, and was not satisfied with the arrangement.
Instead, it was suggested that he should visit Lahore instead of Islamabad; however, his security team did not give clearance for that either.
President Xi’s visit is seen as crucial for Pakistan, during which a number of economic and defence deals are expected to be signed between the two countries.
Last month, Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa also cancelled his visit to Pakistan in the wake of the country’s political situation.
The cancellation of Rajapaksa’s visit was seen as a major blow to the government at a time when the country was deep in the throes of political turmoil and uncertainty.