PM Gilani arrives in London on 4-day visit

LONDON: Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani arrived here Monday on a four-day visit to hold meetings with the British leadership to enhance bilateral relations.

The Prime Minister flew to the United Kingdom's capital by a commercial flight of the national flag carrier, and he was received at the Heathrow airport by Pakistan's High Commissioner Wajid Shamsul Hassan and other senior officials.

Apart from his private schedule, the Prime Minister will hold meeting with Deputy Prime Minister of Britain Nick Clegg as Prime Minister David Cameron is away on a foreign visit. Gilani will meet British Foreign Secretary William Hague and discuss ways to further expand bilateral ties in all spheres.

The talks are expected to focus on Pak-UK strategic partnership including their joint role in fighting terrorism and economic relations.

The Prime Minister will address the forum of UK-Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industries to seek more British investment in Pakistan in diverse fields. He will meet Minister of State for Department for International Development (DFID) and the Minister for Business Innovation and Skills.

Earlier in his departure statement in Islamabad, Prime Minister Gilani said Pakistan and UK have a multi-dimensional cooperation in defence, intelligence and counter insurgency.

He noted that Britain also supports the Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace and reconciliation process and acknowledges Pakistan's legitimate interests in Afghanistan.

"The United Kingdom also supports Pakistan in its efforts to find a negotiated and peaceful settlement of all outstanding issues with India including the core issue of Jammu and Kashmir," the Prime Minister said in a statement.

He said Pakistan was also working with Britain for support to its quest for wider market access in the European Union and efforts to push it's case for the revised GSP plus scheme and the passage of trade concession package in the World Trade Organisation.

"We look forward to early commencement of negotiations on EU-Pakistan Free Trade Agreement," and added these measures would help Pakistan stabilise its economy, increase exports and create jobs.

Gilani pointed that the Department for International Development (DFID) has played a key role in improving primary education in Pakistan. He said the people of Pakistan were deeply appreciative of their help in the aftermath of earthquake in 2005, rehabilitation of Internally Displaced Persons and the recent floods.

He said London's five year programme of US 1.2 billion dollars in 2008 and 2013 would assist Pakistan in its program to alleviate poverty, improve governance, achieve sustained growth and meet the targets of the Millennium Development Goals.

Prior to departure from the Benazir Bhutto International Airport in Islamabad, Prime Minister Gilani was driven to the aircraft by a shuttle along with other passengers, without any protocol.

Prime Minister Gilani will also attend the graduation ceremony of his son Ali Qasim Gilani at the UK's prestigious Brunel University.

Copyright APP (Associated Press of Pakistan), 2011