Musharraf to start 3-nation trip today

announcement here yet about Musharraf’s travel plans but it appears that he would fly to Bangladesh through China It was not clear, however, whether Musharraf would

be meeting any top Chinese officials during his transit

visit to China.

Pakistani officials attached a great significance to his three-day visit to Bangladesh. His visit was believed to have been timed along with the recent victory of Begum Khalida Zia, whose government was perceived to have more friendlier approach towards Pakistan than her predecessor Sheikh Hasina. Bangladesh has said that during Musharraf’s visit it would raise the contentious issue of Dhaka’s claims to receive $ 4.5 billion as compensation for its assets taken over by Pakistan after the partition in 1971.

Dhaka also said that it would raise the issue of repatriation of 2.37 lakh Pakistanis stranded in Bangladesh after it gained independence from Pakistan. ‘‘We have been pursuing these issues in all bilateral meetings and forums with Pakistan, and during President Pervez Musharraf’s visit there will be no exception’’, Bangladesh’s Foreign Secretary, Shamser Mobin Chowdhury said recently.

After Dhaka, Musharraf will travel to Sri Lanka for a 20-hour visit during which he is expected to discuss bilateral and regional issues with the island nation’s leaders. — PTI