Pakistan officially announces Egyptian President Morsi's visit

The Pakistani Foreign Ministry officially announced that Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi will start a visit of the country on Monday, leading a high-level delegation. In a statement, the Pakistani Foreign Ministry said Morsi is the first civilian, democratically and freely elected Egyptian president to visit Pakistan. The last visit was by late president Gamal Abdel Nasser in the 1960s. Morsi s visit to Islamabad is being seen as a watershed and a landmark in traditional and friendly relations between the two large and important Muslim countries, the statement said. Morsi s decision to choose Pakistan as the first South Asian country for a visit manifests Egypt s desire to add a new chapter to its ties with Pakistan, it added. The engagements of the Egyptian president would include one-on-one meeting with his Pakistani president, followed by delegation-level talks and a banquet/luncheon hosted by the Pakistani president, the statement said. The two leaders are expected to hold extensive discussions on all areas of bilateral relations including regional and international issues of mutual interest. They would also be signing a number of agreements, it noted. 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, it said. On arrival at Noor Khan Airbase, Morsi would be welcomed by a 21 Gun Salute and at the Aiwan-e-Sadr by a Guard of Honor.