LONDON: Federal Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan and British Foreign Secretary, Boris Johnson have reiterated their commitment to work hand in hand for promoting peace in the region and consolidating Pak-UK relations and taking them to a higher level.
The Interior Minister held a meeting with the British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson in London on Wednesday. The British Foreign Secretary also hosted a lunch for Interior Minister Ch. Nisar Ali Khan, who is on a three day visit to UK.
The Interior Minister said that Islamabad has always given importance to its relationship with London since both Pakistan and UK share common foreign policy goals on many fronts.
The Interior Minister maintained that India has closed its doors for talks putting regional security at risk. He also raised the issue of Indian involvement in the internal affairs of Pakistan, terming India as the biggest irritant to peace in the region. He said Pakistan will not be brow beaten by such tactics. The brazen and unprovoked killing of our soldiers will not go unchallenged. The Interior Minister put the onus for the deterioration of Indo-Pak relations squarely on India. Regarding the Kashmir issue, the Interior Minister said that Pakistan is ready to discuss the issue of Kashmir without conditions. He said Pakistan would continue to support the just rights of the Kashmiri people and their struggle. Over the issue of Afghanistan, the Interior Minister emphasized that despite Pakistan’s sincere efforts for building peace and stability in Afghanistan, the response from the Afghan side has been marked with unfounded suspicion and baseless allegations. He said that international community should acknowledge the efforts of Pakistan made for a peaceful Afghanistan since it would also be beneficial for peace in the entire region.
UK’s Foreign Secretary appreciated the efforts of Pakistani government and its role being played in the region for peace and development in Afghanistan.
Nisar meets David Cameron:
Minister for Interior, Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan and former Prime Minister of United Kingdom, David Cameron held a meeting in London and discussed bilateral relations and progress achieved so far in various agreed areas.
Both the leaders exchanged views on Pak-UK bilateral relations, the regional situation and other issues of mutual interest, according to a statement issued by the Interior Ministry on Wednesday. “Friends of Pakistan are friends of Britain and enemies of Pakistan are enemies of Britain” said people of Pakistan have great respect for him whose tenure served to raise profile and substance of bilateral ties and taking them to new heights. “Your support for Pakistan, its democracy and institutions, especially for people of Pakistan will always be remembered as a true friend of the country,” Ch. Nisar Ali Khan said according to the statement. David Cameron appreciated Pakistan’s efforts in promoting stability in the region particularly in Afghanistan. Former Prime Minister said he would continue to work for close Pak-UK relations in his personal capacity and wished the government and the people of Pakistan well for future. —Agencies