Pak Foreign Secy sudden leave sparks speculation

Bashir went on leave at a time when US and Pak are trying to rework their troubled ties.

Pakistan Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir’s sudden departure on medical leave ahead of diplomatic engagements with key countries like the US and China has sparked speculation about his possible differences with the government.

Additional Secretary (Americas) Alamgir Babar was made acting Foreign Secretary after Bashir went on leave till September 5.

Driving the speculation was the fact that Bashir went on leave at a time when the US and Pakistan are trying to rework their troubled ties and are likely to decide on a major shift in the mode of their interaction,sources said.

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Sources said Bashir had undergone an angiography and advised to take rest.

Before going on leave,Bashir held long meetings with Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani over the weekend.

Preparations for the UN General Assembly session and other important meetings to be held on its sidelines will now be done in Bashir’s absence.

Bashir,however,is expected to be back before Gilani leaves for New York to attend the UN session.

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US Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Carl Levin is scheduled to visit Islamabad during August 22-23 while the Chairman of the Subcommittee on South and Central Asian Affairs,Robert Casey,will also be in Pakistan while Bashir is on leave.

Foreign Minister Khar too is scheduled to make her first visit to China this week.