Musharraf may skip SAARC Summit

Islamabad, Jan 12 (UNI) Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf may not attend the 14th SAARC Summit to be held in New Delhi in April even as External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee arrives here tomorrow to extend an invitation to him.

Pakistan Foreign Minister Khurshid Mahmood Kasuri said here today that the President had already visited India and now it was the turn of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to come to Pakistan.

Media reports here, quoting Mr Kasuri, also said that the Pakistan President may skip the Summit.

Mr Kasuri said it would be more appropriate for President Musharraf to visit India after Dr Singh paid a return visit.

The Pakistan President had visited India in 2005. Dr Singh is also proposed to visit Pakistan but the dates have not been finalised yet.

Ironically, the External Affairs Minister is arriving here tomorrow on a two-day visit, primarily to invite President Musharraf to attend the SAARC Summit. He, will however, use the opportunity to have talks with Mr Kasuri and meet Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz.

After arriving here, Mr Mukherjee will first call on President Musharraf and then Prime Minister Aziz. He will later have talks with Mr Kasuri.

UNI