LAHORE, March 9: President General Pervaiz Musharraf’s forthcoming visit to Lahore is an official visit, a Press Information Department’s release said on Thursday night.

“During the visit the president will not attend any Basant-related function/activity,” the statement said.

The statement came a day after Punjab Law Minister Raja Basharat told the provincial assembly that president would come here to celebrate the spring festival.

“As Gen Musharraf is an elected president, he will come here and definitely come here and will celebrate the Basant. Stop his visit if you (the opposition) can,” Raja had reacted angrily following anti-Basant remarks by some opposition MPs.

Sources said Raja’s statement, flashed by Thursday’s national dailies, was not liked at the top. — Dawn Report