ISLAMABAD, Nov 16: UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan’s arrival at the Chaklala Airbase on Thursday morning, 45 minutes ahead of schedule, created a commotion at the Foreign Office, Press Information Department and in media circles. A panic-stricken message from protocol personnel at the airbase that Mr Annan’s special aircraft was about to land within minutes sent the Foreign Office in a spin.

Foreign Minister Khurshid Kasuri, who according to the programme was to receive the UN secretary-general on his arrival, was at that time at the Foreign Office waiting to receive Czech Foreign Minister Cyril Svoboda. However, the programme was reversed and Mr Kasuri rushed to the airport. On his way to the airport, he telephoned his Czech counterpart to inform him about the last-minute change in the plan and explain the reason.

Mr Kasuri, however, managed to arrive at the airport just in time to receive Mr Annan.

While officials here said it was the ‘tail-wind factor’ that resulted in the plane landing ahead of the expected time, there was also talk about a possible security concern and communication lapse at some level.

On Thursday, Mr Annan had no official engagements and remained busy with ‘in-house’ meetings.—Q.A.