British officials upset over leakage of Charles' itinerary

Islamabad, Oct 31 (UNI) British officials are upset over the leakage of 'secret' details of the programme of Prince Charles to Pakistan media by the 'overexcited' Pakistani government.

The Englsh-language newspaper The News reported that the programme was leaked despite attempts by the Clarence House -- the official residence of the Prince of Wales to keep it under wraps to protect the Prince from any likely terrorist activity.

Even British media is said to have got details of Prince Charles tour plan from Pakistan media as they were not given the required details by British officials as a part of strategy to keep these things 'secret' for understandable reason.

Prince Charles has already cancelled his visit to Peshawar due to security reasons. Yesterday's air strikes in Bajaur tribal region and killing of at least 80 suspected militants are also said to be one of the reasons that triggered cancellation of the trip.

It is the Prince's first visit to Pakistan, although the Queen has been to this country, most recently in 1997. For the Prince and the Duchess, it is only their second big joint trip abroad, after a relatively gentle canter around the US last November.

The newspaper quoted diplomatic sources as stating that British government is said to have adopted a policy of keeping the engagements of the Prince quite secret for security reasons.

That is why, when the visit plan was announced early this month in London, to the much disappointments of the local media, no details were shared with them.

But now all of a sudden, these sources insisted Pakistan government officials did not observe this 'secrecy' to the much dismay of the British officials as now every body in Pakistan knows about the movement of the Prince during his five days long stay.

These people, according to diplomats, wanted to exploit the visit of Prince Charles to establish their own vulnerable credibility in the eyes of the world and the people of Pakistan.

After leakage of secret details of the Prince's itinerary, British media is giving prominent coverage to the first ever visit of the Prince, who is mostly known in Pakistan because of his charming wife, late Princess Diana.

Although the itinerary avoids the riskiest areas, thousands of police and military have been designated to ensure their safety.

British officials are dismayed at how much detail of their programme has been leaked to the Pakistan press, despite attempts by Clarence House to keep it under wraps.

One senior member of the British High Commission in Islamabad has been quoted as saying that first he shrugged his shoulders in resignation. ''It happens here; it's just one of those things,'' he said.

The Duchess of Cornwall Camilla was included in the trip because, legally if not always in practice, women have equal rights under the Pakistani law. The Prince was keen to further his dialogue with moderate Islam and to see efforts being made to repair the devastation of last year's huge earthquake in the north of the country.

For at least one engagement the Duchess will have to observe Islamic tradition and cover her hair with a headscarf, although she will not, at any stage be obliged to wear a veil. Her head will be covered when the couple visits a Madrassa, a seminary for the training of Imams or prayer leaders.

Perhaps as a piece of security disinformation, it has been reported that they will be visiting one in Lahore, where one of the July 7 London suicide bombers is said to have been schooled.

The royal couple will in fact visit a new model Madrassa in another city, where Islamic teaching figures side by side on the curriculum with computing and English language classes that are promoted by the British Council.

UNI XC SHB DS1545