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Khar to return to Pak on Tuesday after addressing UNGA

September 26, 2011 10:53 IST

Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar, asked by Prime Minister Yousuf Raza to cut short her visit to the US amid growing tensions between the two countries, will return to Pakistan after addressing the UN General Assembly on Tuesday.

Gilani asked Khar to lead Pakistan's delegation to the UN General Assembly after calling off his visit to the US.

Though Gilani said he cancelled the trip to oversee flood relief operations, reports said he made the decision after the US President refused to meet him on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.

The premier on Sunday asked Khar to cut short her visit to the US and return to Pakistan to brief a meeting of the top political leadership that he intends to convene this week.

Officials in the Prime Minister's House had initially told the media that Khar would return immediately.

Foreign Office officials later clarified that Khar would return to Pakistan after delivering her speech at the UN General Assembly. She will cover "all major issues of concern to Pakistan in the address" they said. 

Rezaul H Laskar in Islamabad