ISLAMABAD — With the country in disarray due to rising energy rates and petrol prices, Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar is likely to call off his first trip abroad.
The Prime Minister’s Office reportedly had second thoughts about the three-day official travel to Kenya just hours after Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch confirmed the trip at a weekly news briefing here on Friday.
The Prime Minister will probably call off the trip. “The Prime Minister’s Office informed the Foreign Office of the decision on Friday night,” said people with knowledge of the situation.
As a result of public outcry over skyrocketing energy costs and oil prices, the caretaker administration will likely have to cancel the planned visit. People in many sections of the country have taken to the streets in protest, hoping that their efforts will bring about change.
It was speculated that the prime minister was told to reconsider his visit to Kenya because it could incite greater public discontent. Another possible factor in the prime minister’s decision to cancel the trip is the country’s shifting political climate.
As the political crisis continues to worsen, reports say the president is considering unilaterally announcing an election date.
The prime minister will be in Nairobi, Kenya for three days beginning on Monday to take part in the Africa Climate Summit, according to a representative for the Foreign Office. Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, the government’s spokeswoman, also confirmed that Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani would join the prime minister on his trip.
Kenya’s current vice president and de facto president, William Samoei Ruto, extended the invitation. Foreign Minister Jilani, according to the sources, will most likely represent Pakistan at the Climate summit.
On the other hand, the spokeswoman stated that neither side had made any official statements regarding Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman’s planned visit to Pakistan. “No announcement has been made from our side, and no details of any high-level visit from Saudi Arabia have been disclosed,” Baloch added.
When asked about rumours of a possible visit of the Saudi crown prince, Baloch said, “When such a visit takes place and we have confirmed information and both sides agree to announce the visit we will make an announcement at the time.”
Next week, the de facto ruler of Saudi Arabia will travel to New Delhi to participate in the G20 conference. On his journey to India, he reportedly considered making a pit break in Islamabad.
The representative further refuted the claim that Pakistan was providing weapons to Ukraine in their conflict with Russia. “I think it’s apparent from the comment that such rumours are unfounded. The viewpoint of Pakistan is also very clear. She emphasised that Pakistan would continue to take a neutral stance between Russia and Ukraine.
She replied, “We have long standing ties with both countries, and there is no change in Pakistan’s position,” in response to a question about a comment attributed to Russia’s ambassador to India, in which he purportedly acknowledged knowing of claims regarding Pakistan selling weapons to Ukraine.
