Email this page to a friend!
John Howard arrives in Pakistan
Prime Minister John Howard has paid a flying visit to Australian troops based in southern Afghanistan. Mr Howard met the troops during a secret two-hour visit.
Mr John Howard has now flown into Islamabad for talks with Pakistani leaders on cooperation in the aftermath of last month's devastating earthquake, officials said.
During his three-day stay, Mr Howard was to meet President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz and visit quake-hit areas, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Tasnim Aslam said "The visit is aimed at further strengthening the multi-faceted relationship between the two countries".
Australia has announced a total contribution of $14 million for quake relief operations, channelled through UN agencies and Australian non-governmental organizations. The 7.6 magnitude October 8 earthquake claimed more than 74,000 lives and left more than 3.5 million people homeless in northern regions and the Pakistan administered part of Kashmir.
Pakistan and Australia were also expected to sign agreements on cooperation in agriculture, natural gas exploration and higher education, Ms Aslam said. Mr Howard is the first Australian prime minister to visit Pakistan since 1989.