LONDON: The British Prime Minister Theresa May has said that she will visit Pakistan next year which, according to Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, is most relevant and timely in context of regional scenario prevailing in South Asia.
In a meeting with Chaudhry Nisar at 10 Downing Street in London on Tuesday, the British prime minister conveyed her good wishes to her Pakistani Counterpart Nawaz Sharif and the people of Pakistan, and said that she was looking forward to visiting Pakistan in the first half of 2017.
Chaudhry Nisar congratulated Theresa May on the assumption of the office of the British prime minister and hoped that relations between Pakistan and United Kingdom would achieve higher profile during her leadership. He further hoped that Pakistan-UK cooperation at all levels would receive a great boost and momentum after her forthcoming visit to Pakistan.
The interior minister also emphasized that Prime Minister Theresa May May’s visit to Pakistan is most relevant and timely in context of regional scenario prevailing in South Asia and would open new channels of bilateral and multi-lateral cooperation and coordination.
The minister also met the British National Security Advisor Sir Mark Lyall Grant in London. During the meeting, the interior minister impressed upon him the need for the international community, particularly our friends, to focus and react to the Indian intransigence in the region.
Nisar said that India’s hegemonic stance and its aggressive posturing was a threat to peace and stability in the region. He stated that Pakistan would not be cowed down by such tactics, adding that we reserve the right to avenge the blatant and unprovoked killing of our soldiers.
The interior minister further stressed that the world and our friends needed to do more to counter Indian designs against Pakistan and should stop seeing South Asia through the Indian prism.
Discussing ongoing war against terrorism, the interior minister said that menace of terrorism was a threat to the region and the international peace and tranquility. He said that people of Pakistan and its national security institutions were determined to completely wiping out terrorism from its soil.
Chaudhry Nisar also shared the gains made through Operation Zarb-e-Azb, and achievements made under National Action Plan (NAP). He said that overall security situation in Pakistan has improved significantly during the last three years.
Over the issue of regional situation, the interior minister informed the British NSA that, “a peaceful and stable Afghanistan is in the interest of Pakistan”.
The minister asserted that friendly relations of Pakistan with its neighbouring countries are based on the principle of reciprocity, which is a fundamental and important element of Pakistan’s Foreign Policy.
Highlighting the immense sacrifices of people of Pakistan and security institutions during the ongoing war against terrorism, Nisar said the people of Pakistan believe that there would be no discrimination at international level on this sensitive issue and the world must acknowledge the role Pakistan had played for global peace.
The interior minister said that the Government and people of Pakistan desire peace and greatly appreciate the cooperation of international community in this regard.
In his remarks, the British national security advisor appreciated sacrifices of the people of Pakistan, who have lost their lives in the war against terrorism. He assured that the UK would continue to provide every possible assistance for the welfare and socio-economic development of the people besides strengthening Pak-UK friendly ties.
