Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Sunday assured his British counterpart David Cameron that the government would keep up its efforts to promote the “shared objective” of a peaceful and stable Afghanistan.
Cameron, who arrived here on a two-day visit. The British PM is the first foreign dignitary to visit Pakistan since Nawaz took office in June.
“We believe that such a process should be inclusive, Afghan-owned and Afghan-led. I have assured Prime Minister Cameron of our firm resolve to promote the shared objective of a peaceful and stable Afghanistan, to which the three million Afghan refugees currently living in Pakistan can return with honour and dignity,” said Nawaz at a joint press conference with his British counterpart.
Lauding the UK’s role in promoting peace and stability in Afghanistan, Nawaz hoped the UK would continue these efforts to seek sustainable peace and stability in Afghanistan.
Cameron also responded in the same tone, saying that Pakistan’s enemies were enemies of the Britain. The British premier added that a stable, prosperous, peaceful and democratic Afghanistan was in Pakistan’s interest.
“I know that you (Nawaz) and President Karzai will work together towards those ends,” Cameron added.
Crushing under economic and energy crises, Nawaz focused mostly on access to the European markets.
“The United Kingdom has a strong voice in the EU. We are especially grateful to Prime Minister Cameron for his personal efforts to secure trade concessions for Pakistan in the EU,” he said.
He said the lead taken by the UK in campaigning for Autonomous Trade Preferences (ATPs) for Pakistan is invaluable and added that he has shared with Cameron his desire to be included in the GSP Plus Scheme in 2014, and expects the support and cooperation that the UK has always extended to Pakistan.
He said realisation of the GSP Plus would promote cherished goal of creating gainful employment opportunities for Pakistani youth.
“Pakistan and the UK have strong historic and cultural affinities. The two countries have shared objectives of peace and stability in our region and beyond. We greatly appreciate the UK’s economic, education and social development assistance,” he added.
Nawaz said the UK was one of the leading trading partners, adding that Pakistan was committed to enhancing the current bilateral trade as there are enormous investment opportunities currently exist in Pakistan.
“I am sure that British entrepreneurs would take advantage of these mutually beneficial opportunities,” he said.
Nawaz said that being a close friend of Pakistan, his British counterpart has launched the Enhanced Strategic Dialogue to further strengthen the bilateral relations between the two countries.
“I and Prime Minister Cameron share a strong commitment to education for all,” he said, adding that Pakistan praised the UK support for education as this constructive engagement on education would lay the foundations for a better future of Pakistani people.
Highlighting positive role being played by over one-million strong Pakistani community in the UK, he said they were a living bridge between the two countries and are crucial in realizing the goal in making Pakistan a vibrant country.
Nawaz, with regard to meeting with his British counterpart, said, “The entire spectrum of our bilateral relations was discussed and he informed Prime Minister Cameron on his government’s priorities and objectives set to improve lives of ordinary Pakistanis.”
In this context, he said he also apprised Cameron about austerity measures being undertaken to ensure fiscal discipline and address challenges of energy shortage with a view to implementing economic development agenda.
“We also discussed regional and international issues during talks and realized that there are many convergences. We are convinced that terrorism is a common threat and a huge global challenge.”
Nawaz said Pakistan had suffered the most in terms of human and financial losses, adding that Pakistan was, therefore, resolved to tackle menace of extremism and terrorism with renewed vigour and close cooperation with its friends.
The PM said that Cameron was the first head of a foreign government to visit Pakistan after peaceful transition of a democratic set up. He said that in the May 11 elections people had shown their unflinching confidence in democracy and democratic ideals.
Cameron congratulated Nawaz on his victory in the elections and termed the peaceful transition of democratic set up “as golden moments for people of Pakistan”.
He said people of Pakistan should fully avail this opportunity to show to the world that they have a democratic set up.
He said for the people of Pakistan he had the message that the UK deeply cares about Pakistan.
About bilateral ties, the visiting dignitary said that their relations had many facets dating back to many years and these had bright future ahead because these ties now grew stronger between the two democracies.
He also referred to the one million Pakistanis expatriates living in UK.
With regard to the issue of terrorism, the British PM said that it required tough and uncompromising cooperation and the both countries should conduct this fight against terrorism together.
Cameron announced that they would be making largest investment and set up British Council offices in Lahore and Karachi to enhance cultural and social ties.
Cameron said that his country supported Pakistan’s point of view on drone attacks and said Pakistan and United States should talk on this issue and the United Kingdom will facilitate for the resolution of this problem.
He was replying to a question of Active Citizens Programme volunteer Tajdar Aalam who conveyed the deliberations of FATA people about drone attacks at a meeting with the British PM at the Pakistan Monument.
Later, David Cameron left for the UK. Minister for Science and Technology Zahid Hamid saw him off at the airport.
