ISLAMABAD: Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari has left Islamabad to visit the United States, the foreign ministry confirmed Thursday, in the wake of a political crisis that threatened his government.
Zardari will attend the memorial of Richard Holbrooke, who was the US special representative to Afghanistan and Pakistan until his sudden death last month, and meet US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, the ministry said.
“The president left for the United States on Wednesday evening. He will attend the memorial of Richard Holbrooke on Friday and he has several meetings arranged in the United States,” Basit said.
“He will meet with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, (but) no meeting is scheduled,” with President Barack Obama, Basit added.
Zardari’s office said the president spoke to all opposition party leaders on Wednesday to inform them of his plans before departing for the United States.
On Wednesday US Vice President Joe Biden met Zardari and other leaders in Islamabad for anti-terror talks, at which he was expected to seek more action from Pakistan’s army against Taliban and Al Qaeda militants on its border.
