President of Arab Republic of Egypt Mohamed Morsi is arriving on a state visit to Pakistan on Monday on the invitation of President Asif Ali Zardari, according to Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Media reports said the Egyptian President would also visit India following his Pakistan visit, where he was scheduled to meet his Indian counterpart Pranab Mukherjee and Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh. According to Foreign Office spokesman Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry, the Egyptian President will also be accompanying a high powered delegation. President Morsi is the first civilian, democratically and freely elected President of Egypt to visit Pakistan. The last bilateral visit was by late Gamal Abdel Nasser in the 1960s. Earlier, in November last year, Morsi cancelled a state visit to Pakistan to attend the D-8 Summit hosted by Islamabad, citing the internal law and order situation of his country as the main reason, which also resulted in cancellation of the joint sitting of the parliament summoned to be addressed by him. However, Egypt was represented by its Vice President Mahmoud Mekki in the summit. “President Morsi's visit to Islamabad is being seen as a watershed and a landmark in the traditional and friendly relations between the two large and important Muslim countries," said the Foreign Office spokesman, adding that Morsi's decision to choose Pakistan as the first South Asian country for a bilateral visit manifested Egypt's desire to add a new chapter to its bilateral ties with Pakistan. About President Morsi's engagement in Pakistan, he said the Egyptian President would hold one-on-one meeting with President Asif Ali Zardari, followed by delegation level talks and banquet/luncheon hosted by the President. The two leaders are expected to hold extensive discussions on all areas of bilateral relations including regional and international issues of mutual interest, the spokesman said, adding they would also be signing a number of agreements. “President Morsi's visit is expected to impart dynamism to the bilateral ties and to expand, diversify and strengthen relations between the two countries in all spheres," he expressed the optimism. On arrival at Noor Khan Airbase, President Morsi would be welcomed by a 21 Gun Salute and at the Aiwan-e-Sadr by a Guard of Honor. Business Recorder
