LONDON: Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan has said Pakistan attaches great importance to its friendly ties with the United Kingdom and bilateral cooperation between the two countries.
Talking to British Prime Minister's adviser on National Security Kim Darroch in London, he said we are committed to eradicating terrorism completely.
Both leaders discussed Pak-UK bilateral relations, mutual cooperation and the regional situation, said a press release received here from London.
Discussing the ongoing war against terrorism, the Interior Minister said that the menace of terrorism was a threat to the region and international peace and tranquility. “The people of Pakistan and our state
institutions are determined to complete elimination of this threat.”
He said as a result of Operation Zarb-e-Azb and pursuing National Action Plan, the security situation in Pakistan has significantly improved.
Discussing the regional situation, the Interior Minister observed that peace, stability and development in Afghanistan is in the interest of Pakistan.
Nisar said that having friendly relations with neighboring countries on the basis of equality is the fundamental and basic principle of Pakistan’s foreign policy.
“It is regrettable that our sincere efforts for peace in Afghanistan were subjected to negative and wrong reaction,” said the minister.
While highlighting immense sacrifices of Pakistanis in the war against terrorism, Nisar said the people of Pakistan expect that there would be no discrimination at international level on this sensitive issue.
He said that Islam and terrorism are two opposite things and the West should understand this difference.
He said the government and the people of Pakistan desire peace and greatly appreciate the cooperation of international community in this regard.
Talking about the role of the Pakistani community in UK, the Minister said the Pakistani community in UK is not only contributing towards development of the country but is also serving as a bridge to further cement Pak-UK bilateral relations and translating these relations to the level of people of the two countries.
Kim Darroch in his remarks greatly appreciated valuable sacrifices the people of Pakistan have rendered in war against terrorism.
He assured that UK would continue to provide every possible assistance for the welfare, socio-economic development of the people and strengthening of Pakistan’s institutions.
