Pakistani PM leaves for China for Olympics

Source: Xinhua | 08-08-2008 08:07

ISLAMABAD - Pakistani Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gillani Thursday left for China to attend the Beijing Olympics opening ceremony.

The plane carrying Gillani has set off from the Chaklala Air Base here on Thursday night. Gillani will attend the opening ceremony of Beijing Olympic Games, which will be held on Friday evening.

Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf was expected to participate in the opening ceremony and his flight was initially scheduled on Wednesday.

A Foreign Office statement said Thursday that Musharraf had cancelled his visit to China due to the political development in the country and Gillani would go instead.

Editor:Wang Shuqin