LONDON - Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Tuesday said his government will not compromise on national security and peace talks’ initiative has been taken with all sincerity and consensus of all stakeholders.
Talking to media here after his arrival on an official, he responded to question by saying his government has no plan to curb media freedom in the country.
The prime minister said he hoped for success of talks with the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) as it would bring peace and help in putting the country back on development track. About targeted operation against terrorists in Karachi, he said there was positive progress and the operation would bring fruitful results to the port city.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is visiting United Kingdom at the invitation of British Prime Minister David Cameron, in pursuance of his clearly articulated priority to enhancing Pakistan’s relations with important trade and economic partners.
Although there is no fixed agenda for his talks with his British counterpart, the Premier will hold discussions on all important issues of bilateral interest. But, his primary purpose in all his meetings and engagements with key British Secretaries of State and his address at an Investment Conference as well as meetings with select chief executives and investors from the financial and energy sectors would be to apprise them on improving business environment in Pakistan.
Pakistani Premiere’s visit is also significant because it comes at a time when general elections in two immediate neighbours of Pakistan are rushing to their final stages and the deadline of US pullout drawing near. Nawaz Sharif will avail the opportunity to update the British leader on the latest developments taking place in and around Afghanistan and the current status of ongoing talks with the TTP.
Cameron and Nawaz hold similar views on situation in Afghanistan. During his last visit to Pakistan the British prime minister had said it is about the battle ‘we must fight together’ against terrorism. This battle required a tough and uncompromising security response. It also requires investing in education, tackling poverty, and dealing with all of the issues that can fuel extremism and radicalisation.
Cameron went on to say that in this battle the friends of Pakistan are friends of Britain; the enemies of Pakistan are enemies of Britain. And, we will stand together and conduct this fight against extremism and terrorism together.
Nawaz would also brief Mr Cameron on relations with India, particularly if Nirendra Modi political alliance led by BJP wins majority seats and he assumes the power as the prime minister. There are fears that under Modi the process of normalisation of relations with New Delhi may hit snags.
Nawaz Sharif may also discuss with Cameron the latest spate of Indian atrocities being committed in occupied Kashmir Valley and holding of fake elections which have since been rejected by the leading political parties including All Parties Hurriyat Conference. Replying to a question on his arrival, the PM said his visit will further strengthen relations between Pakistan and Britain.
Earlier, he was received by special representative of the British Foreign Secretary. The officials of Pakistan High Commission were also present on the occasion. The premier is being accompanied by the Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, Chief Minister Balochistan Dr Abdul Malik Baloch and Special Assistant to Prime Minister Tariq Fatemi.
He will also address an Investment Conference and meet chief executives and investors from the financial and energy sectors and apprise them of the improving business environment in Pakistan apart from meeting members of the Pakistani Diaspora in UK. The prime minister will also meet members of the Pakistan Diaspora.
As for bilateral economic relations, the Pakistan-UK Enhanced Strategic Dialogue (ESD) was signed during the first official visit of Prime Minister Cameron to Islamabad on April 5, 2011. The ESD identifies following five strands of cooperation: (i) Trade and Business Relations (ii) Financial, Macro-Economic Stabilisation and Development Cooperation (iii) Education and Health (iv) Defence and Security, and (v) Cultural Cooperation.
The second round of ESD was held during the recent visit of Mr Sartaj Aziz, Adviser to the Prime Minister on National Security and Foreign Affairs, to London on March 13, 2014. This was followed by the visit of Sir Kim Darroch, National Security Adviser to Islamabad on April 2. These two visits set the stage for PM Sharif’s ongoing visit.