ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari has shortened his ongoing visit to Europe and will return to Pakistan from the United Kingdom on September 8, according to sources.
Sources said the president has cancelled his scheduled visit to France and will instead travel directly to Pakistan after completing his engagements in the UK.
President Zardari had been scheduled to visit France for two days as part of his European tour. However, the French leg of the trip has now been cancelled, and the president is expected to leave the United Kingdom for Pakistan on September 8.
The change in the president’s travel schedule means that his current visit to Europe will conclude earlier than originally planned.
According to sources, President Zardari will complete his engagements in the United Kingdom before departing for Pakistan. Further details regarding the reasons behind the cancellation of his France visit have not been disclosed.
During his stay in the UK, President Zardari held meetings with senior Pakistani political and government figures. Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi also met with the president in the United Kingdom.
Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari also met President Zardari in London. The meeting provided an opportunity for the two leaders to discuss matters relating to the country and political affairs.
The president’s shortened European tour comes as his scheduled diplomatic and official engagements continue to attract attention. His decision to cancel the France visit and return directly from Britain is expected to bring his current overseas tour to an early conclusion.
President Zardari had initially planned to visit both the United Kingdom and France. However, following the revised schedule, he will now depart for Pakistan from Britain on September 8.
Officials have not provided further information about whether the cancelled French engagements will be rescheduled for a later date.
The president’s meetings in London with senior Pakistani officials and political leadership have also highlighted the importance of his UK visit. The presence of Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari in London provided an opportunity for discussions on key national issues.
President Zardari is expected to resume his official responsibilities in Pakistan following his return.
The development has also resulted in changes to the itinerary of the president’s European visit, with France no longer included in the current tour.
According to sources, the president will leave the United Kingdom for Pakistan on September 8 after completing his remaining engagements. The revised schedule will allow him to return to the country without proceeding with the previously planned two-day visit to France.
President Zardari’s decision to shorten the tour was confirmed by sources familiar with his travel arrangements, although no official reason for cancelling the France visit was immediately provided.
The president’s return to Pakistan is expected to be followed by his resumption of official activities and engagements in Islamabad.
The development comes amid ongoing political and administrative activity in Pakistan, with senior government and political leaders continuing consultations on national matters.
President Zardari’s meeting with Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi in Britain and his interaction with Bilawal Bhutto Zardari in London were among the notable engagements during his European visit.
With the France leg cancelled, President Zardari will now conclude his European tour in the United Kingdom and depart for Pakistan on September 8.
The revised itinerary marks an early end to the president’s planned European trip, while further details about his future foreign visits and any rescheduled engagements with French officials are expected to be announced later.
The president’s office has yet to provide additional details regarding the reasons for the cancellation of the France visit, according to the information currently available.
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