Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif met with British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson on Thursday in Islamabad. During the meeting, the prime minister extended an invitation, through the foreign secretary, to British Prime Minister Theresa May to visit the country as well.
In the meeting, PM Nawaz said that Pakistan played its role in ending terrorism from the world.
He said that the ongoing Operation Zarb-e-Azb is in its last stage, and that Pakistan had laid down 60,000 lives in the fight against terrorism.
“Pakistan considers Britain a trusted partner and a close friend,” said the PM. Both the countries enjoy strong economic ties, he said.
Pakistan is a safe and suitable country for foreign investors, said Boris Johnson. Britain will continue to support Pakistan in GS-Plus scheme, he added.
British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson had reached Islamabad Thursday morning on an official two-day visit. The minister was welcomed at the Islamabad airport by Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry officials.
He earlier addressed a joint press conference with Adviser to Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz.
British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson arrived in Islamabad on Thursday for a two-day official visit.
Boris Johnson said that the UK understood Pakistan’s sacrifices in the fight against terrorism and fully understood the situation.
Boris Johnson arrived at the Foreign Office where he held talks with Prime Minister’s Adviser on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz.
According to reports, the two also discussed ways and means to enhance bilateral relations in diverse fields. Further, regional situation and international issues of mutual interest also came under discussion.
British Foreign Secretary is also scheduled to address a joint press conference.
“UK appreciates Pakistan’s extraordinary economic potential and exuberant youth population,” Boris Johnson was quoted as saying by FO spokesman Nafees Zakaria.
Excited 2 b in Pakistan. Wants 2 further consolidate rock solid friendship between our 2 countries – British FS
— M. Nafees Zakaria (@ForeignOfficePk) November 24, 2016
I want 2 concentrate on boosting trade & investment between the 2 countries & build confidence of British investors in Pakistan’s market
— M. Nafees Zakaria (@ForeignOfficePk) November 24, 2016
Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali was in the UK earlier this month where he met with Boris Johnson. During the meeting, the two ministers had reiterated their commitment to work hand in hand for promoting peace in the region and consolidating Pakistan-UK relations and taking them to a higher level.
In May last year, Johnson’s wife expressed the desire to make a trip to Pakistan – her ancestral land. In an interview to a private news channel, Johnson said that he will be visiting Pakistan soon after the elections are over.
“My wife originates from Pakistan, she is a Sikh and her parents were from Sargodha. She has been asking me to visit Pakistan since a long time but unfortunately, I was unable to do so but I intend to visit the amazing country soon,” he said.
Johnson added that he is friends with Peter Oborne, who is a cricket writer and analyst, and said that Oborne is upset with him for not visiting the country. “I have promised him too that the visit will be on my priority list after the elections are over,” he had said.