Pak PM may meet Bush on sidelines

Islamabad, May 15: Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gillani is expected to have his first meeting with US President George W. Bush in Egypt when the two leaders attend the World Economic Forum on the West Asia this weekend.

Mr Bush and Mr Gillani will hold a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the meeting to be held at the Egyptian resort of Sharm El Sheikh during May 18-20.

This will also be the first high-level political contact between Pakistan and the US after the new Pakistan People’s Party-led coalition came to power in Islamabad. Awami National Party president Asfandyar Wali Khan, who has emerged as Pakistan’s points man for implementing the new government’s anti-terror strategy, will travel to Egypt with Mr Gillani.

Mr Khan made an unannounced visit to the US earlier this month to discuss the government’s anti-terror policy with top American officials. Mr Gillani is expected to hold several other bilateral meetings with world leaders, including Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, on the sidelines of the WEF meet, sources said. A "chance meeting" with Israeli President Shimon Peres could not be ruled out. (PTI)