ISLAMABAD, May 17: Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang, who is arriving in Islamabad next week on a two-day visit, will address on May 23 a special session of the Senate which has been summoned by President Asif Ali Zardari.

Usually the visiting head of a state or government addresses a joint session of parliament (Senate and National Assembly). “The Chinese leader would address the Senate session because a joint session of parliament is not possible by May 23,” presidential spokesman Farhatullah Babar said.

The senate session will be prorogued after the address.

On Wednesday, a day before the Senate session, the president will host a lunch in the honour of the Chinese premier which is expected to be attended by top politicians of the country, including PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif.