Top News

'Khar's visit to improve Pak-UK relations'

Published Updated

"It was a successful visit, she had good interaction with the British leadership as it was part of enhanced strategical dialogue between the two countries, said British High Commissioner in Islamabad Adom Thomson while talking to a group of journalists here at British High Commission.

He said the interaction of Hina Rabbani Khar with the British officials remained very constructive and fruitful and hoped that it would further enhance trade and investment ties between Pakistan and Britain.

British High Commissioner said both sides feel that Pak-UK relationship are very strong and improving day by day and the recent visit by Hina Rabbani Khar will give impetus to these ties.

He said both the countries agreed to enhance trade, investment, and people to people cooperation besides improving cooperation to fight extremism and terrorism.

British High Commissioner said it was also agreed that Britain will extend more cooperation to Pakistan for more market access to European Union market.

The Afghan counter terrorism issue was also discussed during the meetings of Hina Rabbani Khar with British leadership, he added.

He said the visit was part of exchange of officials from both sides and added that Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani will visit UK in next couple of months while British Foreign Minister will visit Pakistan very soon.

Referring to coincidence of presence of US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in London when Hina Rabbani Khar was also there, the British High Commissioner said they are there to attend an important conference on Somalia to fight the threat of pirates in the region.

Answering a question, he said, they have been working together for a peaceful solution to the Afghan issue through Afghan-led and Afghan owned reconciliation process.

Replying to a question on Balochistan, he said, it is Pakistan's internal affair and it understands better than any other country.

Answering a question about living by some of the Pakistanis in London who are alleged to be involved in anti-Pakistan activities, the British High Commissioner said, "we pay very close attention to the behaviour of the people living there".

Replying to a question about the reports of any investigation regarding the wealth of PML-N Chief Nawaz Sharif, the British High Commission said, "we can not investigate any one without evidence".

About the whereabouts of Taliban leader Mullah Umar, he said, "we do not know where is Mullah Umar, and even Pakistan and Afghanistan did not know where is Mullah Umar."

He however said if Mullah Umar will obey the constitution of Afghanistan and abide by the laws, then he can potential role in next political system in Afghanistan.

On the Pak-US relations, he said, poor Pak-US relations can affect to UK and other countries.

Regarding the delay in UK visa, the British High Commissioner said due to its processing office in Abu Dabhi, at least five days needed to process the visa. He said despite heavy rush, the visa process of UK is at fast speed and the new system introduced two years ago has been working very well and still faster than other countries.

He said five days are required for visit visa while visa for businessmen was processed much earlier.

He said there are a number of projects in Pakistan which are being completed with British assistance.

Highlighting some of the projects in Khyber Phakhtoonkhaw, he said, 12 bridges damaged due to floods have been completed while work on 50 others are in progress.

He said a number of schools destroyed by Taliban have been renovated while a multi-donor fund has been established with the cooperation of Britain to support various other projects in KPK.

The British High Commissioner said the UK is also providing assistance for primary education with availability of text books and reforming the education system.

Copyright APP (Associated Press of Pakistan), 2012