Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in a meeting with UK National Security Advisor Kim Darroch, on April 2, 2014. PHOTO: PID
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan assured UK National Security Advisor Kim Darroch that its soil will not be used against Afghanistan and that it supports the democratic process in Afghanistan.
“Our soil will not be used against Afghanistan and we support the democratic process in Afghanistan,” said Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said in a meeting with Sir Darroch in Islamabad on Wednesday.
The British national security advisor is in Pakistan and held a string of meetings with the top officials in Islamabad and Rawalpindi. He is accompanied by UK Chief of Defense Staff General Nicholas Houghton, Representative on Afghanistan and Pakistan Simon Gass and British High Commissioner Philip Barton.
Adviser to the Prime Minister on National Security and Foreign Affairs Satraj Aziz and Special Assistant to PM Tariq Fatimi were also present at the meeting.
Nawaz said that Pakistan believed in policy of non-interference, especially with regards to Afghanistan.
The premier highlighted the challenges Pakistan faces including those of economy, energy and terrorism.
“In order to tackle the issue of terrorism we have evolved consensus, amongst all the stakeholders, for dialogue,” Nawaz said.
He added that Pakistan do not wish to fall into arms race and want peace and stability in the region.
Nawaz emphasised that there is a need to enhance investment in social sectors of health and education and Pakistan has taken steps towards these ends.
Sir Darroch said UK supports the objectives of Pakistan’s internal security. He also expressed his confidence in Pakistan’s economic policies and added that the economy is poised to take off.
Meeting with Nisar
In his meeting with interior minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, Sir Darroch said British government is committed to provide more support to Pakistan, in all fields particularly countering terrorism.
Talking about post 2014-Afghanitsan, Nisar said the two neighbouring countries have to work together, with the support of the international community, to ensure peace and stability in the post-2014 Afghanistan.
Nisar said Pakistan has adopted a holistic regional approach by following a non-partisan policy in Afghanistan as well as improving relations with India.
Commenting on Pak-UK relations, the minister said that these ties are special and incumbent government is committed to further strengthening them in all fields particularly in sectors like counter-terrorism, human trafficking, transnational crime and capacity building of security agencies.
The government has initiated the peace talks with Taliban with an earnest desire to bring peace in the country, said Nisar.
The minister also reiterated Pakistan’s commitment that no area of Pakistan would be allowed to be used for exporting terrorism.
Darroch reiterated the British government is commitment to provide to Pakistan in all fields particularly countering terrorism.
Referring to Afghanistan issue, Darroch said UK and Pakistan share similar priorities regarding Afghan peace process. He also expressed British government’s best wishes for success of ongoing dialogue process.
Darroch said the UK supports Pakistan’s new National Internal Security Policy and appreciates the efforts of the government in tackling security related issues.
UK National Security Advisor calls on COAS
During the day, National Security Advisor of UK Kim Darroch along with Chief of Defence Staff British Armed Forces General Sir Nicholas Houghton, called on Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif at General Headquarters today, read ISPR statement.
During the meeting, wide range of issues of mutual interest including defence and security cooperation and measures contributing towards regional stability came under discussion.
Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan Simon Gass and British High Commissioner Philip Barton were also present during the meeting.
National Security Advisor of UK Kim Darroch and General Sir Nicholas Houghton, Chief of Defence Staff British Armed Forces in a meeting with Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif at General Headquarters on April 2, 2014. PHOTO: ISPR
Darroch calls on Sartaj Aziz
Adviser to the Prime Minister on National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz, led delegation level talks with Darroch at the Foreign Office on Wednesday, said ministry of foreign affairs.
Stressing the importance of bilateral ties, Aziz said that Pakistan attaches great importance to its relations with UK which are based on mutual respect, interest and understanding of each other’s perspectives. Darroch also reciprocated these sentiments.
The two sides discussed counter-terrorism, regional security and issues of mutual interest including Afghanistan. UK expressed its willingness to continue to assist Pakistan in areas of security and counter terrorism.
Talks on issues of National Security are part of the Pakistan-UK cooperation under Enhanced Strategic Dialogue (ESD).
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@sterry: @Candid1:
This is a war Pakistan started against India and Afghanistan; therefore the onus is on Pakistan to end the war.
I have been hearing this since my birth, 1979. We are not going to trust this anymore.
Guess Sharif hasn't heard of the Haqqani? Go figure.
Gen Musharraf gave a similar assurance to India which was honoured only for a couple of months and things were back to square one. In Afghanistan's case, NS statement may not be honoured even for a day and denial would be issued immediately after any such violation from the Pakistan side.
And what assurances did Kim Darroch give about Afghanistan's soil not being used against Pakistan? I cannot believe the incompetence of the Nawaz govt. in not expressing any concern about the terrorism emanating from Afghanistan at India's behest. After all Britain is part of the occupation forces in Afghanistan, what are they doing to prevent territory under their control being used against Pakistan? What did Kim Darroch have to say about UK weapon sales to India which has a history of using British supplied arms against Pakistan, or was Nawaz to busy groveling before him to raise this issue?
"Our soil will not be used against Afghanistan and we support the democratic process in Afghanistan,” said Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said to UK National Security Advisor Kim Darroch
"Respect Pakistan's regional security interests", Ch. Nisar tells US envoy. For fifteen minute of fame one side of the government contradicts the other side of the government.
" Pakistan's "soil" will not be used against Afghanistan". Yes only "non-state actors" will be used!