President's Turkey visit put off

ISLAMABAD - As Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani embarks on his three-day visit to Saudi Arabia today (Friday), the two Muslim states are likely to ink a vital agreement on special oil facility for Pakistan that will help overcome the grave economic crunch confronting the country. Apart from economic issues, the other important matter that is likely to be discussed in detail during the visit of Prime Minister Gilani to Saudi Arabia is the current political situation in Pakistan. Some official sources claimed that the PPP Co-Chairperson, Asif Ali Zardari, who is currently in UAE, could also join the Prime Minister during his visit to Saudi Kingdom but a senior PPP leader, asking for anonymity, belied the impression saying Zardari would return to the country today (Friday) as per schedule. On economic front, he said, Pakistan wanted Saudi Arabia to restore the former special oil facility (SOF) under which Pakistan was provided free oil after the 1998 nuclear tests by the then Pakistani government. The then oil facility was later converted into the credit facility. Saudi Arabia, on its part, has showed willingness to offer one-year credit facility on oil payments on the pattern of 1998 oil credit facility to import oil on deferred payments, according to official.   Online adds:  In view of political situation of the country, President Musharraf has decided to postpone his visit to Turkey which was scheduled later this month. According to a private TV,  President Musharraf has postponed his all-important visit to Turkey following the unpredictable changes taking place in the political scenario of the country since last many days. The President was scheduled to meet Turkish President Abdullah Gull and other leaders to discuss host of issues of bilateral interest. Pakistan has informed Turkey about postponement of President Musharraf's visit to Turkey. Diplomatic sources told Online that till August, President cannot go on a foreign tour. While on the other hand, Pak-Turkey and Afghanistan leadership meeting in Turkey has gone in doldrums in the month of June. Now it will be held after a fixed date given by Pakistan.

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