US Secy. of State Kerry will not visit Pakistan.

[RazorMC]

KABUL: US Secretary of State John Kerry scrapped a planned visit to Pakistan to avoid accusations of meddling in the upcoming elections, US officials said on Monday.

Kerry, who landed in neighbouring Kabul after a trip to the Middle East, dropped Islamabad from his itinerary as Pakistan prepares for elections on May 11 that will mark the country’s first democratic transition of power.

...

“But as the government there enters a very historic period on this electoral process we wanted to fully respect those institutions and the ongoing process.”

...

The official said Kerry had met Pakistan’s powerful army chief Ashfaq Kayani in Jordan on Sunday evening and would visit Islamabad in the near future.

Source and full article: Dawn

 

[T90TankGuy]

Was it know he would be coming to Pakistan? because i did not see it in any news article or it being mentioned here.

 

[RazorMC]

@jbgt90

Quote from the source at Dawn:

“Originally Secretary Kerry was hopeful he would be able to go to Pakistan on this trip as well,” a US official told reporters traveling with Kerry.

He's travelling around the world as part of his new role.

 

[Abu Zolfiqar]

it's a clever move and probably one that was mutually agreed upon by State Dept and Pakistani (care-taker?) government

the timing could not be worse right now.....in fact there should be no state visits by any country to Pakistan; all the national focus should be on domestic issues preceding elections

Was it know he would be coming to Pakistan? because i did not see it in any news article or it being mentioned here.

his trip to the region was last minute and not announced

 

[RazPaK]

Good move by Kerry.

 

[muse]

Earlier we asked what Kiyani was up to in SA now he turns up in Jordan while Obama was there?

Kerry had met Pakistan’s powerful army chief Ashfaq Kayani in Jordan on Sunday

All not good - and Pakistani media seem to not be interested

 

[JonAsad]

Apparently any visit by some foreign official during election days will be concidered as suspicious-

 

[Abu Zolfiqar]

Earlier we asked what Kiyani was up to in SA now he turns up in Jordan while Obama was there?



All not good - and Pakistani media seem to not be interested

he's in Jordan on an official visit at the invitation of Jordanian Joint chiefs of staff committee and the visit was probably planned in advance.

could have been some informal meeting regarding Afghanistan. Why make a bigger deal out of it than necessary?

Apparently any visit by some foreign official during election days will be concidered as suspicious-

it's always been like that especially in Pakistan

 

[muse]

he's in Jordan on an official visit at the invitation of Jordanian Joint chiefs of staff committee and the visit was probably planned in advance. could have been some informal meeting regarding Afghanistan. Why make a bigger deal out of it than necessary? it's always been like that especially in Pakistan

Sometimes, you really are Amaaaazing - What's the big deal with regard to Afghanistan? What's the big deal with conducting diplomacy while Pakistan have a excellent FM, What's the big deal of possibly meeting Obama? What's the bog deal with delivering Pakistani govt signals about which we know nothing???

 

[RazorMC]

Apparently any visit by some foreign official during election days will be concidered as suspicious-

As it is the Americans as infamous for their meddling. Kerry made the right choice IMO.

he's in Jordan on an official visit at the invitation of Jordanian Joint chiefs of staff committee and the visit was probably planned in advance.

could have been some informal meeting regarding Afghanistan. Why make a bigger deal out of it than necessary? ...

How come the Jordanians are interested in Afghanistan ??
What interests can they have there?

 

[Gautam]

Kerry, who landed in neighbouring Kabul after a trip to the Middle East, dropped Islamabad from his itinerary as Pakistan prepares for elections on May 11 that will mark the country’s first democratic transition of power.
Source: http://www.defence.pk/forums/nation...ry-will-not-visit-pakistan.html#ixzz2Odshyg7j

I remember that day 2 years ago. Its like saying - "I Still Know What You Did Last Summer"

 

[W.11]

kerry is a clever guy, his presence would have raised many eye brows

 

[muse]

First Kiyani visits SA, is photographed in civilian clothes schmoozing with Al-Brinces, then he's in Jordan conducting diplomacy meeting with Kerry: and now this:

Kayani summons key Corps Commanders meeting
DAWN.COM | 43 mins ago



RAWALPINDI: Chief of Army Staff Gen Ashfaq Pervez Kayani has summoned an important meeting of the Corps Commanders for Wednesday, DawnNews reported.

Kayani will chair the session during which some key issues, including the Army chief’s recent meeting with US Secretary of State John Kerry, are expected to be discussed.

The Army chief met Kerry on Sunday during his scheduled visit to Jordan. According to the ISPR, both discussed the reconciliation process in Afghanistan and security issues concerning the South Asian Region.

Sources told DawnNews that Kayani will take the Corps Commanders into confidence over his meeting with the US Secretary of State.

Other key issues, including decisions relating to the Army’s support to the ECP during the coming general election, and the reconciliation process in and Nato troops withdrawal from Afghanistan are likely to be discussed during the meeting.