Zardari to discuss terror with Sarkozy

Pakistani President is to discuss the fight against terrorism with French President Nicolas Sarkozy on a visit to Paris which starts Sunday. Zardari will go on to London on Tuesday, despite speculation that his visit might be called off because of UK Prime Minister David Cameron’s remarks during his trip to India this week.

Wikimedia / Eric Draper

Zardari will discuss security and the controversial topic of terror with Sarkozy on Monday afternoon, a statement from his country’s Paris embassy says.

They will also talk about geopolitics in South Asia and economic co-operation, it adds.

He will also take time to visit museums, including the Guimet museum of Asian art, currently showing an exhibition of Gandhara art from Pakistan.

Zardari will then go on to London. A High Commission statement denied rumours that the visit may be cancelled due to Cameron’s remarks this week on Pakistan’s alleged involvement with armed Islamic groups.

Zardari is to meet the British PM on 6 August and also address Pakistani-origin members of the British parliament. He will also meet members of his own People’s Party in the UK.

But spokesperson Farhatullah Babar on Friday denied earlier reports that there would be a ceremony to launch his son, Bilawal, as party chairman since the Oxford student has officially held the function since the assassination of his mother, Benazir Bhutto.

A visit by members of Inter Services Intelligence, the spy agency accused of working with armed Islamist groups, has, however, been cancelled in protest, according to the London Times.