Hitting back India’s: Pakistan-bashing is no surprise, says FO

Spokesperson says PM will visit UK on April 30.

ISLAMABAD:

The Foreign Office said on Thursday that it was no surprise that India had resorted to “propaganda against Pakistan” in the wake of the attack on senior journalist Hamid Mir.

In response to a question about the Indian media’s recent criticism of Pakistan’s security establishment in the aftermath of the shooting, spokesperson Tasneem Aslam said it is not surprising that the Indian media restored to such ‘baseless’ propaganda.

“Obviously there is a tendency to indulge in propaganda against Pakistan. It has not surprised us. It should not surprise anyone,” she added.

At her weekly news briefing, Aslam also told reporters that the Prime Minister’s three-day official visit to the United Kingdom would begin on April 30.

Nawaz will travel to the UK next week at the invitation of his British counterpart David Cameron, the foreign office said.

The premier is scheduled to hold discussions on matters of mutual interest. He would also hold meetings with select UK Cabinet Ministers, she added.

Nawaz would also address an Investment Conference and meet select chief executives and investors from the financial and energy sectors.

He will apprise investors on the improving business environment in Pakistan. His other engagements include meeting members of the Pakistani diaspora.

The spokesperson said the visit would strengthen the relationship between Pakistan and the United Kingdom.

In response to a question, Aslam said the prime minister is expected to visit Iran in May as part of efforts to strengthen relations between the two countries.

This will be his first visit to Tehran since his election and comes at a time when Iran is apparently upset over Pakistan’s increased cooperation with Saudi Arabia.

Ahead of the important visit, Iran’s interior minister would also travel to Pakistan, the spokesperson informed reporters.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 25^th, 2014.