Baroness Sayeeda Warsi arrived in Islamabad on Monday on her first visit to Pakistan as the British senior minister of state for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs and her sixth visit as a British minister.
Baroness Warsi on Monday met Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar. The ministers discussed the strength of bilateral relations, the upcoming election and the two countries’ mutual interests in promoting stability in the region.
Baroness Warsi also met leaders of two opposition parties – Nawaz Sharif, president of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf Chairman Imran Khan.
During her meetings, Baroness Warsi highlighted the UK’s lasting commitment to Pakistan.
Earlier, Baroness Warsi said upon arrival that she was pleased to be back in Pakistan, especially at such an important time. The upcoming elections were a crucial milestone in Pakistan’s democratic history, the first time in decades that there would have been a transfer of power between one civilian government to another, she said.
Warsi said a strong, stable, constitutional democracy and a legitimate transfer of power in the upcoming elections were firmly in Pakistan’s interests.
She called on all parties to ensure that elections were free from violence and fraud, and citizens were able to vote without intimidation.
Warsi said this would be vital to building citizen’s trust in the electoral process and the credibility of the resulting government.
“Pakistan needs a peaceful transition of power and elections that are credible to the Pakistani people,” she stressed.
She praised Pakistani contributions in the war on terror.
“Our prime minister once said that your enemy was our enemy and I reiterate that sentiment today. Pakistan has lost 30,000 citizens in that fight, the terrible attack on Malala is just one example of the human price Pakistan is paying. The UK will continue stand alongside Pakistan.”
Commenting on the depth of bilateral relationship, Warsi said the two countries had built a relationship based on mutual respect, interests and trust.
She said our bilateral relationship was going from strength to strength in areas such as trade and business, economics and development, education and health and security and defence.
“The UK will be at your side to help you face your challenges, and as you celebrate your successes. And you can be assured that support will not waver,” she said.
another brokership by UK in the process i guess. looks like PMLn and PTI will be part of the deal for the next government.
we dont expect such, as joining any of the tried parties would be a disaster for PTI and most importantly for Pakistan and and Imran known for his loyalty and character would never compromise the ideology of Quaid.
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