WASHINGTON, Oct 14: The US State Department has classified Secretary of State Colin Powell’s visit to Pakistan as “secret” in view of the violent anti-US protests in Pakistan.

Mr Powell is due to depart for South Asia on Sunday (Monday morning in Pakistan) in an attempt to strike a delicate balance between Pakistan and India as well as explore options for a post-Taliban Afghanistan.

Reporters accompanying the secretary have been given only the barest outline of his stops and have been warned that security concerns may force last-minute changes in the schedule. The State Department will not specify time of departure.

In the interest of the war coalition as well as regional stability, Washington wants both Islamabad and New Delhi to lower the temperature over Kashmir.

ISSUES: Mr Powell is exp-ected to discuss the bombing of Afghanistan with President General Pervez Musharraf.

With all details of his schedule kept secret for security reasons, the brief visit by Powell involves a delicate balancing of the prestige conveyed to Musharraf by a senior US official visiting Pakistan against the anger among militants.

Pakistan has given Washington access to its air space and intelligence and offered logistical support that includes use of airports at Jacobabad and Pasni. It says no offensive operations will be launched from its territory.

Powell will also face a diplomatic balancing act to keep the support of both Pakistan and India, which are deeply divided over the disputed territory of Kashmir, and avoid that 54-year-old conflict from distracting from Washington’s focus on Afghanistan. —AFP/Reuters