Gilani to visit UK with large entourage

LONDON: Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani is set to lead a 70-plus-member delegation on a weeklong visit to the United Kingdom amidst highly charged atmosphere at the domestic front.
The composition of the entourage, including many hangers on and politicians seeking to spend summer time in London, suggest that this may be more of appeasement trip than official business.
Senior Pakistani diplomats were pondering on Monday whether to get the prime minister invited to the State Opening of UK Parliament on Wednesday 9 May 2012 which will be addressed by The Queen.
The News has learnt that those accompanying the Prime Minister are Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar, Awami National Party leader Asfandyar Wali Khan, Commerce Minister Makhdoom Ameen Faheem, Minister of Finance Dr Hafeez Sheikh, Minister of Investment Saleem Mandiwala, parliamentarians from PML-Q, MQM and PPP lawmakers and senior officials. The privileged wives and children of some of the delegates will also join the joy ride but will not fly on the official flight - but their separate flights into London and the expenditures will be paid for by the national exchequer, a source confided to this correspondent.
After being convicted by Pakistan’s Supreme Court of contempt for defying its orders to write to the Swiss authorities for the reopening of corruption cases, this will be PM Gilani’s first visit to any foreign country.
A source at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that this is going to be a packed visit in which the premier will hold meetings with the Duke of York, will attend a reception for UK parliamentarians, will hold dialogue on enhancing strategic dialogue with David Cameron; Conservative Friends of Pakistan group will be launched; and meetings have been arranged with London Stock Exchange officials and heads of the companies doing business in Pakistan.
The source added that the premier will also address a Pakistani business community dinner in London, besides holding a press conference for ethnic and English media. A spokesperson at the Foreign & Commonwealth Office said: “We continue to make preparations for Prime Minister Gilani’s visit to the UK. The decision of the Pakistan Supreme Court last week relating to the prime minister is an internal matter for Pakistan.”
The prime minister will address a rally of PPP supporters in Birmingham. Prior to Gilani’s arrival in the UK, PPP’s UK branches have started campaigning for the rally. PPP UK had arranged a demonstration against the Supreme Court of Pakistan outside the High Commission of Pakistan but it was cancelled after the Kensington and Chelsea Police refused to give permission for a protest. It is believed that the Birmingham rally will be used to attack the judiciary and it’s defiance in face of the tremendous government pressure. Meanwhile, several political and religious Pakistani groups in London and Birmingham are planning demonstrations against the PM’s visit.