ISLAMABAD, Oct 12 Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi dashed on Monday to Washington for expressing Pakistan's concerns over the Kerry-Lugar bill, but with little hope of finding any favour.

The decision to make last-minute efforts for finding a reprieve was taken at a meeting between President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, Army Chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, Foreign Minister Qureshi and ISI chief Lt-Gen Ahmed Shuja Pasha over the weekend.

Talking to journalists before his departure, Mr Qureshi said “I am going to Washington with the mandate given by all stakeholders — political and military leaderships of the country — to share with them (US officials) our concerns. I will speak for the people of Pakistan and convey their feelings to the American leadership.”

The concerns largely pertain to the certifications requiring the US secretary of state to confirm that the Pakistan government continues to cooperate in investigations into nuclear proliferators, makes sustained efforts against terrorists, including blocking support by elements within the military and intelligence network for terrorists, takes action against terrorist bases on Pakistan's soil and acts on intelligence about high-value targets provided to it, and more importantly security forces do not subvert political and judicial processes in the country.

Although these clauses are generally in line with Islamabad's stated principles, the language of the bill is considered to be demeaning and a legislative indictment of the army and other security agencies that are engaged in counter-terrorism operations.

Additionally, the military establishment is perturbed over the assessment required in the bill of civilian control and oversight of the armed forces.

The foreign minister did not say much about the prospects of success of his mission, but his body language did the speaking. It was quite evident that he did not expect much out of the visit, but still wanted to do his bit to pacify the growing criticism at home, and more importantly, within the army whose commanders in an unprecedented statement last week had expressed 'serious concerns' over the legislation.

Mr Qureshi was probably referring to this when he said that there was a need for understanding the working of the US system ... and then move forward in a realistic manner.

When the foreign minister lands in Washington, he would be left barely with a day to convince the people on the Hill to review the legislation, which President Obama has to sign by Tuesday or else it will become a law automatically.

Technically speaking the possible scenarios other than Mr Obama signing the bill are that the president does not sign it; he returns it to the Congress for a review with recommendations; and that a signing statement is issued noting down Pakistan's concerns. The statement would serve as an assurance to Islamabad that Washington has no intention of being intrusive and at the same time asking the Congress to reconsider the contentious provisions.

At the best, Pakistan can hope for the third scenario.

The foreign minister was also pragmatic enough to remind his countrymen that the country needed not only the money, but also strengthening of its relations with the US. “You cannot deny the significance of the assistance Pakistan is getting through this bill.”

He said the global economic recession and its impact necessitated $7.5 billion assistance over the next five years in socio-economic sectors.

“This assistance cannot be ignored as it reflects a long-term commitment and investment in the social sector.”

The foreign minister's visit also comes in the backdrop of growing rumours that Pakistan's ambassador to Washington, Hussain Haqqani, is about to be sacked as Islamabad tries to find a scapegoat for the Kerry-Lugar gaffe.

Foreign Office sources said that in their enthusiasm to fix responsibility on someone, many were forgetting that Mr Haqqani made close to 30 communications updating all concerned on developments with regards to the bill.

They said the problem was more of lack of inter-agency coordination rather than fiasco by an individual.