ISLAMABAD:
Strained relations between the US and Pakistan will figure prominently during talks between President Asif Ali Zardari and British Prime Minister David Cameron in London next week, an official source, requesting anonymity, told The Express Tribune.
Zardari will be travelling to the UK from Tehran after attending a two-day international conference on The Global Fight against Terrorism International Summit on June 25.
The US and Nato troop drawdown from Afghanistan, the post Bin Laden situation in Pakistan, the Afghan crisis and Pakistan-UK strategic and bilateral relations will be among the topics discussed during the talks.
It has yet to be ascertained whether Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani, who is also travelling to the UK on a nonofficial visit in July, will meet British Prime Minister David Cameron. British Foreign Secretary William Hague is due to arrive in Islamabad before President Zardari’s visit to Iran and the UK, to engage in strategic dialogue with Pakistani leaders, the source said.
Strained ties between Islamabad and Washington will also be discussed with Pakistan’s civil and military leadership during Hague’s visit. Hague will also discuss the progress regarding the joint mechanism set up to counter terrorism by the UK and Pakistan.
“His trip to Islamabad was already on the cards, the source said, adding “it has nothing to do with the President’s visit to Tehran on June 24.”
The president and prime minister will both hold talks with the MQM chief Altaf Hussain during their visits to London.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 23rd, 2011.
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