US team due in Islamabad today

Published August 22, 2003

ISLAMABAD, Aug 21: A seven-member US delegation, comprising six legislators and Assistant Secretary of State for Defence and Legislative Affairs Powell Moore, is due here on Friday evening.

The delegation headed by Senator John McCain, chairman of the House Committee on Commerce, will arrive here from Kabul after a brief visit there.

Other members of the delegation include Senators Lindsey Graham, Maria Cantell, John Sununu, Kay Baley Hutchison and Congressman James Kobe, member of the House Appropriations Committee.

The delegation is scheduled to call on President Gen Pervez Musharraf on Saturday morning, Foreign Office Spokesman Masud Khan confirmed on Thursday.

The delegates will also meet key Pakistani cabinet members earlier at a breakfast to be hosted by US ambassador Nancy Powell at her residence, sources told Dawn. Among the invitees are Foreign Minister Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri, Finance Minister Shaukat Aziz, Commerce Minister Humayun Akhtar Khan and Defence Minister Rao Sikandar, the sources added.

A senior diplomat said that it was a routine congressional visit usually undertaken by US representatives during the recess period to assess bilateral relations.

“There is no specific agenda, it is just a fact-finding visit about Pakistan-US relations,” the diplomat said.

Opinion

Editorial

Court in crisis
Updated 30 Jan, 2025

Court in crisis

THE Supreme Court faces a crisis of legitimacy. A growing chorus within the legal community has been calling for...
Death blow
30 Jan, 2025

Death blow

JOURNALISTS took to the streets in protest; human rights groups warned against the dangers; and digital rights...
Enhanced inclusivity
30 Jan, 2025

Enhanced inclusivity

TWO fresh initiatives involving new features in people’s CNICs should help enhance inclusivity for special ...
PTI no-show
Updated 29 Jan, 2025

PTI no-show

There is growing impression that an entire country is being held hostage by the egos of a few powerful individuals.
A second Nakba?
29 Jan, 2025

A second Nakba?

WHILE candidate Trump was able to get away with making outrageous statements on the campaign trail, what President...
Cricket spin
29 Jan, 2025

Cricket spin

PAKISTAN seemed to have found the blueprint for Test success at home: raging turners that had brought three wins in ...