The UK and Pakistan have special bonds and the bilateral relations are consistent and based on mutual respect, Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar said on Thursday. “There are institutional linkages between the two countries which have greatly facilitated in understanding each others’ point of view on various matters,” she said. The foreign minister was talking to Baroness Syeda Warsi and selected members of the Conservative Party at the Parliament House in London. She specifically quoted the statement given by British Prime Minister David Cameron during his visit to Pakistan which she said gave a great boost to the bilateral ties. Prime Minister Cameroon had described the Pakistan-UK relations as an unbreakable friendship.
She described her visit to the UK and interaction with the British officials as very constructive and fruitful. She said the talks on trade and investment prospects were quite encouraging. Deliberating upon the regional security situation, Khar said Pakistan wanted peace and stability in Afghanistan and was making efforts to minimise the spillover of instability in that country. In the context of conflict resolution, she emphasised that the international principles as prescribed in the UN Charter should be respected at all times while dealing with crisis. She also stressed upon positive messaging to create better understanding among coalition partners and stakeholders of any problem to ensure peace and stability.
The foreign minister also briefed the delegation about the internal political and socio-economic conditions in Pakistan. “The positive aspect of the developments in Pakistan is that democracy has taken roots.” However, she said currently Pakistan was confronted with two main challenges, energy crisis and the image abroad. “These challenges are also impacting the Pakistani diaspora in various parts of the world.” Baroness Warsi and the delegation thanked the minister for explaining the perspective of Pakistan on various national, regional and international issues. They proposed that the positives about Pakistan should be highlighted like the contribution of Pakistanis in various fields in different parts of the world. They also asked for promotion of Pakistani culture and handicrafts.
Talking to the All Parties Parliamentarian Group (APPG) on Pakistan in the British Parliament, Khar described Pakistan-UK relations as unique, distinct and strong. “These relations are based on mutual respect and mutual interests. The UK has always demonstrated a constructive and realistic approach towards Pakistan and the challenges it has been facing from time to time.” Underlining the objectives of her visit to the UK, she said it was precisely to review the progress and see further possibilities in various sectors of cooperation between the two countries under the enhanced strategic dialogue forum established during the visit of the British prime minister to Pakistan last year.
