WASHINGTON, March 1: President George W. Bush will arrive in Pakistan from Hyderabad, India, on Friday, when the MMA has called for a countrywide strike against blasphemous cartoons published in a section of the European press.

Giving details of President Bush’s engagements in Islamabad, Ambassador General (Rtd)Jehangir Karamat told reporters that the US president will stay overnight in Islamabad.

Earlier media reports had speculated that Mr Bush will use his 36-hour stay in Pakistan to make an unannounced visit to Afghanistan but the US president surprised everyone by stopping in Kabul for a day before flying over to India later on Wednesday.

President Bush’s engagements in Pakistan include a one-to-one meeting with President General Pervez Musharraf followed by an “elaborate” meeting between the Pakistani and American officials, Gen Karamat said.

Gen Karamat said that President Bush will also address a select gathering of businessmen, politicians and prominent citizens. It will be followed by an event at the US embassy, where President Bush is scheduled to make a speech.

President Bush will also participate in a cricket event, said the ambassador but like an earlier White House announcement Gen Karamat did not say where this event would take place and whether Mr Bush will actually play cricket.

On Friday evening, President Musharraf will host a banquet for the US first lady and President Bush.

Mr Bush will also attend a meeting to review rehabilitation of the earthquake victims.

A US security team arrived in Pakistan two weeks ago to review security arrangements for the visit while another team of US officials was also in Islamabad, finalizing details of his engagements in Islamabad.