Situation Deteriorates, Pakistan Tells US Envoy to Stay Away

The US State Department is reporting today that a request to allow Special Envoy Marc Grossman to visit Pakistan has been turned down by the Pakistani government, citing the “prevailing situation” in the nation.

The exact “why” of this rejection has been the subject of considerable speculation, with some suggesting the move is a function of the strained relationship between the US and Pakistan since the November attack on Pakistani military bases by US warplanes.

But Pakistan’s official rejection said the timing of the visit would be “inconvenient,” suggesting it might be more a function of the deteriorating internal political situation than the long-standing gripes with the US.

Later this week, Prime Minister Yousef Raza Gilani will appear before the Supreme Court, which has filed contempt charges against him. If convicted he would not only be removed from office but could be jailed.