Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf would visit Washington next month in response to an invitation from the United States President George Bush. Necessary arrangements, including the finalisation of dates were being made by the foreign office, a Pakistan news agency quoted officials as saying on Monday night, adding the dates of the visit was expected to be announced soon.
This is Musharraf's second visit to the US since November last year, when he went to New York to attend the UN General Assembly meeting.
The invitation for the visit was extended during the visit of US Secretary of State Colin Powell last week. The standoff between Pakistan and India, Kashmir and Afghanistan are expected to figure prominently during his discussion with Bush and other American leaders and officials, the report said.
Meanwhile, Musharraf said his country wanted peace with India but despite this, if New Delhi attacked Islamabad, it was ready to accept the challenge.
"We have repeatedly condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. However, should the enemy resort to any misadventure, we are fully prepared to meet the challenge," he said, addressing large number of Pakistani troops on the frontlines in Thar and Cholistan deserts. Musharraf said Pakistan has joined the world coalition against terrorism in its best interests after the September 11 terrorist attacks in the United States.
"Our adversary, disappointed with the stature that Pakistan has attained as an important coalition partner, has now indulged in hurling false allegations against and concentrated troops on Pakistan's borders," state-run APP news agency quoted him as saying.
Bureau Report