President Zardari cancels France visit, returns to Pakistan from UK

President Zardari cancels France visit, returns to Pakistan from UK

President Asif Ali Zardari has shortened his ongoing European tour and cancelled his planned two-day visit to France, according to sources familiar with his travel schedule.

The president will now conclude his visit to the United Kingdom and depart for Pakistan on September 8. He had initially planned to travel to France after completing his engagements in Britain, where he has held a number of meetings during his stay.

Sources said Zardari had scheduled a two-day visit to France as part of his European tour. However, the French leg has now been cancelled, and the president will return to Pakistan directly from the UK instead.

The change means that President Zardari’s current European visit will end in Britain. No official explanation has yet been given for the decision to cancel his planned visit to France.

During his stay in the UK, the president met Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, who is also visiting Britain. The meeting covered matters of national interest and other issues concerning the country.

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari also met President Zardari in London. The meeting brought together the PPP chairman and the president during the latter’s ongoing engagements in the British capital.

President Zardari’s decision to cut short the European tour comes as his UK visit continues to draw attention because of meetings with senior government officials and political figures.

Following the cancellation of his France visit, Zardari is scheduled to leave the United Kingdom for Pakistan on September 8, bringing his European tour to an earlier close than originally planned.