WASHINGTON, Sept 27: The just-concluded visit of President Musharraf will not overshadow the visit of Prime Minister Zafarullah Khan Jamali to the US, says Foreign Minister Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri.

“Both the visits serve the same purpose: improving US-Pakistan relations and boosting Pakistan’s image in a country which is now the sole superpower of the world,” Mr Kasuri told Dawn.

The president was here to attend the UN General Assembly and his meeting with President Bush, although very important, was on the sidelines of the General Assembly while the prime minister is coming on an official visit, explained the foreign minister.

“He will carry forward the progress made during President Musharraf’s official visit to Washington in June,” he said, adding that the prime minister’s visit would help establish close rapport with the US leadership and strengthen bilateral ties.

Meanwhile, the Pakistan embassy in Washington announced the official programme of Mr Jamali’s visit on Saturday. According to this programme, the prime minister will be visiting the United States from Sept 29 to Oct 8, at the invitation of President Bush.

The prime minister’s official engagements begin with a meeting at the White House with President Bush. This is followed by a lunch President Bush will host for him. Mr Jamali will also meet Vice President Richard Cheney.

A number of important US administration officials including Secretary of State Colin Powell, Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and Treasury Secretary John Snow will call on the prime minister.

Mr Jamali is also scheduled to visit Capitol Hill to interact with important legislators of the US Congress. He will address a major think-tank, the Chicago Council of Foreign Relations.