ISLAMABAD, 26 July 2004 — Afghan President Hamid Karzai called General Pervez Musharraf yesterday and requested that his visit to Pakistan scheduled for July 26 and 27 be postponed for now.
New dates for Karzai’s visit will be worked out through diplomatic channels.
A Foreign Ministry spokesman said that as the visit had been postponed for Afghanistan’s internal reasons, it is expected to be scheduled shortly.
A disagreement has emerged between the Islamabad police and the Afghan Embassy over who would be responsible for the security for Karzai’s security.
The Afghan president is heavily guarded by special forces provided by the United States.
Police sources said Kabul informed the Islamabad police through its embassy that Karzai’s entourage would take care of his security during his stay in Islamabad.
They said police in Islamabad rejected this and explained that providing security to foreign dignitaries in the capital was their responsibility.
The sources quoted Afghan diplomats as telling the district administration and police officers that there was no need to chalk out a security plan for Karzai without consulting his security staff.
Inam Ghani, in charge of security for diplomats in the capital, confirmed that his staff had been asked by the Afghan Embassy to coordinate with Karzai’s security team.
The Afghan diplomats informed Pakistani officials that Karzai’s personal security guards would arrive in Islamabad to review security arrangements and check the sites where the Afghan president would stay and may visit.
The diplomats also insisted that be provided with a list of Pakistani police officers who would look after Karzai’s security.
