Gilani to meet Zardari to decide on Indian PM's invitation

Rezaul H Laskar
Islamabad, Mar 26 (PTI) Pak Prime Minister Yousuf Raza
Gilani, who returned on Saturday from a visit to Uzbekistan,
will meet President Asif Ali Zardari later in the day to
decide on his Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh's invitation
to Pakistan's two top leaders to watch the World Cup
semi-final between the cricket teams of the two countries.
Gilani flew back to Islamabad from Tashkent this
afternoon. His return was delayed by a day due to bad weather
over the Himalayas.
Friday, Singh had invited Zardari and Gilani to
watch the semi-final with him at Mohali on March 30.
The premier would meet Zardari later in the day to
discuss Singh's invitation and make a decision, official
sources said.
Information Minister Firdous Ashiq Awan told the media
that other stakeholders, including the military leadership,
would be consulted on the issue.
Official sources also told PTI that Singh's invitation
is likely to be accepted though only Gilani is expected to go
to watch the match that will showcase one of the world's most
intense sporting rivalries.
Gilani has already held consultations on the issue
with senior Foreign Ministry officials and Minister of State
for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar, who had accompanied him
to Uzbekistan.
Information Minister Awan told reporters that the
"invitation of love" from India will receive a "response of
love" from Pakistan, which would not waste any opportunity to
improve bilateral relations.
Presidential spokesman Farhatullah Babar had on
Saturday said that Pakistan welcomed the invitation extended
by Indian Prime Minister Singh.