Poets' gathering at Musharraf's old home

By Our Special Correspondent

ISLAMABAD, JULY 3. A mushaira (gathering of poets) is planned in New Delhi on July 14 at the old house of the Pakistani President, Gen. Pervez Musharraf.

The mushaira coincides with the arrival of Gen. Musharraf on a three-day official visit to New Delhi at the invitation of the Prime Minister, Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee.

Five prominent poets from Pakistan, including Mr. Ahmad Faraz and Mohammad Shamim, are reported to have been invited. Mr. Faraz was recently in Delhi to attend literary functions. The visit had triggered speculation in the Pakistani media that he has gone as an emissary of Gen. Musharraf.

The local press claimed that Gen. Musharraf had sent Mr. Faraz to `clear the apprehensions' in literary and intellectual circles about the circumstances under which he had to take over as President. Islamabad promptly denied the reports and said he was on a private visit.

The itinerary of Gen. Musharraf in Delhi includes a visit to his ancestral house in Darya Ganj. Given his hectic schedule on July 14, he can not be expected to spend more than a few minutes there.

After spending a day in Delhi, he is scheduled to fly to Agra the next morning for the summit meet with Mr. Vajpayee. It is not yet clear whether the General has any plans for sightseeing in Delhi.

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Section  : International
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