Nawaz Sharif shortens US visit over fears of opposition protests

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has shortened his official US visit to three days from the initially planned five, the Foreign Office said today, amid reports that the change in his itinerary was made over fears of protests by Imran Khan's Tehreek-i-Insaf party here.

"The Prime Minister will be paying an official visit to the United States on 20-23 October," Foreign Office spokesman Qazi Khalilullah said.

"The visit is taking place at the invitation of the President of the United States," he told reporters.

A media report yesterday had said that Sharif's US visit was initially planned from October 19 to 24.

However, Sharif had to cancel some of his engagements in the US apparently over fears that Khan's party may hold protest against him in Islamabad, as it did during Finance Minister Ishaq Dhar's visit to New York last month.

The report had said that Sharif's October 19 visit to Chicago, where he was scheduled to address potential Pakistani-American investors, has been cancelled.

During the media briefing today, the Foreign Office spokesman said Sharif will meet with President Barack Obama and have other engagements.

Khalilullah said that the Prime Minister will brief the US leadership on Pakistan's policies for the revival of the economy, fight against terrorism and the regional situation.

"Discussions will also be held on bilateral cooperation in the fields of economy, trade, education, defence, counter- terrorism, health and climate change," he said.

Sharif will also meet Chairman House Foreign Affairs Committee, Senate Foreign Relations Committee Members and interact with Pakistan-US Business Council and US Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

He will give a talk at the United States Institute of Peace and address the Pakistani community there.