Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Friday affirmed that a stable, prosperous and democratic Afghanistan was in Pakistan’s best interest, adding that it looks forward to forging a cooperative relationship with the Afghan national unity government.
The prime minister expressed these views during a breakfast meeting with British Prime Minister David Cameron. He is in the United Kingdom on a three-day official visit.
Upon his arrival at 10 Downing Street, Premier Nawaz was received by his British counterpart. During the meeting, bilateral relations, matters of mutual interest and the regional situation came under discussion. Premier Nawaz appreciated UK’s assistance for Pakistan’s social sector development, particularly in health and education. He invited British entrepreneurs to invest in Pakistan’s energy sector.
The British premier, appreciating Pakistan’s sacrifices in the fight against terrorism, stated that “Pakistan has suffered more than any other country in the fight against terrorism”, and assured of his government’s support to Pakistan in its efforts to root out the scourge of terrorism.
Later, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani also joined the two leaders. Afghan Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah was also present on the occasion.
The three leaders expressed their resolve to work together for a stable, prosperous and peaceful Afghanistan which would have a salutary impact on the entire region.
In the backdrop of the recently held London conference on Afghanistan, regional situation with particular reference to Afghanistan was discussed and commitments made in the conference were reiterated. Adviser to Prime Minister Sartaj Aziz, Special Assistant to Prime Minister Syed Tariq Fatemi and Pakistan High Commissioner to UK Syed Ibne Abbas were also present during the meeting.
Cameron’s concern
Cameron also asked his Pakistani counterpart to ensure a British man jailed for blasphemy is treated fairly and that his history of mental health is taken into account.
The British leader’s spokeswoman told reporters that more junior government officials had previously raised the case of 70-year-old Muhammad Asghar. Asghar, a Muslim from Edinburgh, was arrested in 2010 and sentenced to death in January on charges of blasphemy leveled by a disgruntled tenant. In September, his lawyers said he had been shot and wounded in jail by a prison guard in Rawalpindi.
“The PM raised the Asghar case,” said Cameron’s spokeswoman. “Our focus at the moment is making sure he gets the right level of treatment and that the case is handled in the right way, given his particular situation.”
Asghar had previously been detained under the mental health act in Britain and diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia, according to documents his lawyers supplied to media.
Royal meeting
Premier Nawaz Sharif also met Prince of Wales Prince Charles at Clarence House in London.
The prime minister appreciated the personal interest he has been taking in the rehabilitation of flood affected people in Pakistan.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 6th, 2014.
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Around 200 years on, nothing has changed. An out of business colonial power still shepherding Pakistan and Afghanistan
An impostor standing with PM UK & President of Afghanistan.