ISLAMABAD, June 12: President Gen Pervez Musharraf on Sunday left for Australia on the first leg of his two-nation tour that will also take him to New Zealand. During his four-day visit — the first by a Pakistani head of state to the country — Pakistan and Australia would sign Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) on counter-terrorism and commercial cooperation.

Speaking to reporters before his departure for Canberra, President Musharraf expressed the hope that the visit would boost economic, commercial and trade ties between the two countries.

“We will also sign a number of MoUs including on counter-terrorism and commercial cooperation,” he added.

Australian Prime Minister John Howard called the visit a “historic milestone” in the two countries relations while praising President Musharraf for his commitment to fight international terrorism and efforts to promote peace in the region.

In a statement issued in the capital Canberra ahead of the visit, Mr Howard said he also plans to discuss with President Musharraf prospects for closer cooperation in agriculture and a formal partnership between the two countries’ financial regulatory bodies.

President Musharraf will travel to New Zealand on June 16 for a three-day visit.—APP