Chaundhry Nisar Ali Khan. PHOTO: APP
Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar said this while talking to British Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs Philip Hammond at Punjab House on Tuesday.
The leaders discussed at length the Pak-UK bilateral relationship and mutual cooperation focusing on counter-terrorism cooperation, combating organised crime, the issue of illegal migrants and the overall situation of the region.
The interior minister stressed the need for further strengthening the existing efforts. He said Islamabad wanted long-term partnerships of institutionalised assistance in terms of sharing expertise, training and capacity-building of its institutions.
About Pakistan’s ongoing war against militants, Nisar said the country was looking towards the international community, especially friends like UK, to strengthen its capacity to fight militancy. “Operation Zarb-e-Azb promises our country and our coming generations of a new era free from threats of violence and insecurity,” he said. “The efforts of our armed forces and law enforcing agencies have resulted in significant successes.”
Acknowledging the sacrifices of Pakistan, the British foreign secretary assured the minister of continued assistance to the country and its people in their fight against militancy.
He also agreed to the observations of Nisar for the need to make greater efforts for not letting non-state actors hijack foreign policy and dictate their terms to sovereign states.
Both leaders also agreed on the necessity of long-lasting and sustained peace for the overall socio-economic development in the region. Mutual trade and greater economic activities in the region hold the key to ensuring and providing solid foundations, they said.
Discussing the regional situation, the minister reiterated that Pakistan would continue making every possible effort for promoting peace and the reconciliatory process in Afghanistan.
The UK, he added, could play a leading role in socio-economic development of the region by ensuring long lasting peace and promoting the reconciliation process in Afghanistan.
Hammond also appreciated the interior minister for regulating the return of illegal immigrants on one hand and launching a comprehensive campaign against human traffickers on the other.
He assured him of all possible assistance towards law enforcement, counter-terrorism, intelligence sharing and efforts aimed at fighting organised crime.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 9th, 2016.
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