Amid Western concern over deteriorating security situation and Pakistan's ability to hold free and fair polls, President Pervez Musharraf arrived in London on a three-day visit during which he will meet British Prime Minister Gordon Brown among others.
Pakistan's volatile security situation, fight against terrorism and preparations for the upcoming polls in the country are expected to figure prominently during Musharraf's talks with Brown on Monday.
Musharraf is expected to face angry protests during his stay here as human rights group Amnesty International plans a demonstration outside Downing Street on Saturday while further protests are scheduled for Monday against his government's crackdown on lawyers and political parties.
In a statement issued ahead of Musharraf's arrival, Amnesty International has warned that Pakistan was facing a "human rights crisis" that "represents a serious threat to the political process" in the country.
During his stay here, Musharraf will speak at the prestigious Royal United Services Institute for Defence Studies (RUSI) on 'Vision for Pakistan and Regional Harmony.'
He will also address the British-Pakistani community on challenges facing the country. His London trip is the final stop of his four-nation tour of Europe during which he also addressed the World Economic Forum (WEF) summit in Davos, Switzerland.
Musharraf used his ongoing visit to highlight his government's resolve to hold free and fair elections on February 18.
Britain is the second largest foreign investor in Pakistan and is also the third largest trading partner after the US and UAE.
