Pakistani Punjab CM cancels visit to India

Sharif was expected to enter India through the Attari-Wagah border Friday (Dec 14) around 9.30 p.m., but the Punjab government Thursday received a communication from the neighbouring country of Shahbaz Sharif cancelling his three-day visit.

A 30-member delegation from Pakistan, comprising agriculturists, businessmen and politicians, has also called off its visit.

Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal a few weeks ago led a business delegation to Lahore, and extended a personal invitation to Sharif.

Sharif was expected to attend the Kabaddi World Cup final Dec 15, as the chief guest, besides also addressing businessmen in the state and spending a night at the private residence of Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal.

 

A senior official of the Punjab government, requesting anonymity, told IANS: "Sharif has cancelled the visit citing poor health. All preparations had been made and Punjab was decorated like a new bride to welcome the Pakistani guests. We treated the visit as a major CBM (confidence building measure) and a new start to ease bilateral relations."