Tuesday, May 31 2005 08:40 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Islamabad: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president L K Advani arrived in Islamabad late last night (May 30, 2005) on a weeklong "nostalgic" tour of Pakistan during which he will hold talks with Pakistani leadership, besides travelling to Karachi where he was born.

Accompanied by his wife Kamala and daughter Pratibha, the former Deputy Prime Minister is on his first visit to this country in 27 years.

Advani arrived in Islamabad past midnight last night as his flight from Lahore was delayed by an hour due to inclement weather.

Advani, first leader of the Opposition to visit Pakistan officially, was received at the Airport by Syed Mushahid Hussain, Secretary General of the Pakistan Muslim League.

On arrival he told reporters his visit to Pakistan would further the peace process initiated by the then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and President Pervez Musharraf in January 2004 and carried forward by the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Government.

Asked whether he would discuss the Kashmir issue with the Pakistani leadership, he said, "Why only Kashmir? I would like to talk on all issues."

During his two-day stay in Islamabad, Advani is scheduled to meet Musharraf, Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, Foreign Minister Khurshid Mahmood Kasuri and others, including Opposition leaders.

Apart from the political aspect, the visit by the Karachi-born leader connotes a return to the roots. He had last visited Pakistan in 1978 as Information and Broadcasting Minister to mark the first live telecast of cricket match between the two countries.

In Karachi, Advani is scheduled to visit his alma mater St Patrick's High School as also his erstwhile home.

The leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, who would be visiting the famed Shaivite temple of Katasraj, has also expressed a desire to visit the Sikh holy shrine of Nankana Sahib and the ruins of the ancient Taxila University.

During his visit to India, Musharraf had presented an album to Advani containing rare photographs of his school days as also marks-sheet and attendance sheet.

Advani is also expected to present mementoes to Pakistani leaders.