News
Monday, May 07, 2012
Pakistan to attend Afghan summit in US amid tensionsISLAMABAD: Pakistan would participate in the NATO summit being held in Chicago to discuss the future of Afghanistan, in spite of strained relations with the United States – especially the US decision to speed up drone strikes in the country’s tribal belt. President Asif Ali Zardari along with a delegation would attend the moot, which would start in Chicago, US, from May 20. Reliable sources told Online that although the relations between the two countries were tense, Pakistan would take part in the summit on special invitation of American President Barack Obama. India has also been invited to the conference. The sources said the decision to take part in the summit was made in a recent meeting. Initially, President Asif Ali Zardari had instructed Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani to represent the country in the moot, but due to delay in the Supreme Court’s detailed judgement in the contempt of court case against the prime minister, the president decided to attend the meeting himself. The sources revealed that the president would also meet his American counterpart during the visit and request for financial aid to strengthen the country’s economy. Diplomatic circles are giving high importance to the president’s visit to the US. online
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk