Musharraf sends invitation to Vajpayee

By B. Muralidhar Reddy

ISLAMABAD, JULY 27. The Pakistan President, Gen. Pervez Musharraf, tonight formally invited the Prime Minister, Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee, to visit Islamabad at the latter's earliest convenience.

An official announcement said the formal letter of invitation is to be to delivered (may be already delivered) by the Pakistan High Commissioner in New Delhi, Mr. Ashraf Jahangir Qazi. ``The President hoped that it will be possible for Mr. Vajpayee to visit Pakistan sooner (rather) than later'', the statement said.

Pakistan Television (PTV) said the invitation reiterated the commitment of Gen. Musharraf to resolve all contentious issues, including Kashmir, through a dialogue process. Quoting diplomatic sources, PTV said, in his letter Gen. Musharraf thanked Mr. Vajpayee for the ``warm'' hospitality extended to him and his wife during his recent visit to India. Gen. Musharraf also stated that though the Agra summit failed to achieve a joint declaration, the two sides have agreed

to continue the dialogue process which would help resolve the differences on all issues, including Kashmir.

Officials here have been quoted in the local media as saying that the Indian External Affairs Minister, Mr. Jaswant Singh, may visit Islamabad before Gen. Musharraf and Mr. Vajpayee meet during the U.N. General Assembly's annual meeting at New York in September this year to prepare the ground work.

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : Front Page
Previous : Centre seeks 'services' of Chennai Police
           Commissioner
Next     : India willing to accept 29 prisoners