Nisar to UK: Friends need to react to Indian aggression

Interior minister says Delhi poses threat to peace, stability

Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan on Tuesday impressed upon UK the need for the international community, particularly Pakistan’s “friends to focus and react” to India’s transgression in the region.

In a meeting with UK’s National Security Adviser (NSA) Sir Mark Lyall Grant, the minister stressed that India’s hegemonic stance and its aggressive posturing was a threat to peace and stability.

He stated that Pakistan would not be cowed down by such tactics, adding that we reserve the right to avenge the blatant and unprovoked killing of our soldiers.

“The world and our friends need to do more to counter Indian designs against Pakistan and should stop seeing South Asia through the Indian prism,” the interior minister said.



Discussing the ongoing war against terrorism, Nisar said that the menace of terrorism was a threat to the region and international peace and tranquillity. He said that people of Pakistan and its national security institutions were determined to completely wipe out terrorism from its soil.

He also shared the gains made through operation Zarb-e-Azb, and achievements made under the National Action Plan.

Over the issue of regional situation, Nisar informed the British NSA that, “a peaceful and stable Afghanistan is in Pakistan’s interest”.

He asserted that friendly relations of Pakistan with its neighbouring countries are based on the principle of reciprocity, which is a fundamental and important element of Pakistan’s foreign policy.

Grant appreciated sacrifices of the people of Pakistan and assured that UK would continue to provide assistance for the welfare and socio-economic development of the people besides strengthening Pak-UK friendly ties. British Prime Minister Theresa May also walked into the meeting.

Speaking to Nisar, Prime Minister May conveyed her good wishes to the Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and the people of Pakistan, and said that she was looking forward to a visit to Pakistan, in the first half of 2017.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 16^th, 2016.