Stable and prosperous Afghanistan in Pakistan’s best interest: PM Nawaz

Cameron lauds Pakistan's sacrifices in war on terror, asks for fair treatment for Briton jailed for blasphemy


Web Desk December 05, 2014

LONDON: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Friday said that a stable, prosperous and democratic Afghanistan was in Pakistan’s best interest.

In a meeting with British Prime Minister David Cameron at 10 Downing Street in London this morning, Nawaz said that Pakistan was looking forward to forge a co-operative relationship with Afghanistan, Radio Pakistan reported.

The British prime minister lauded Pakistan’s sacrifices in the fight against terrorism and said Pakistan has suffered more than any other country in the war on terror.



PHOTO: AFP

Meanwhile, PM Nawaz appreciated UK’s assistance in Pakistan’s social sector development, particularly, in health and education. He invited British entrepreneurs’ investments in the energy sector of Pakistan.

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and Afghan Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah were also present on the occasion.

The leaders discussed regional situation with particular reference to Afghanistan and commitments made in the conference were reiterated.

Further, they expressed their resolve to work for stability and peace in Afghanistan.



PHOTO: AFP

The premier is on a three-day visit to the United Kingdon where he participated in the Conference on Afghanistan, co-hosted by the governments of the UK and Afghanistan.

Cameron asks for fair treatment for Briton jailed for blasphemy

Prime Minister David Cameron asked Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Friday to ensure a British man jailed for blasphemy is treated fairly and that his history of mental health is taken into account.

Cameron raised the case of 70-year-old Muhammad Asghar during a meeting in London with PM Nawaz, the British leader's spokesperson told reporters, saying more junior government officials had previously raised the same matter.

Asghar, a Muslim from Edinburgh, was arrested in 2010 and sentenced to death in January after a disgruntled tenant presented letters he had written saying he was a prophet.

In September, his lawyers said he had been shot and wounded in jail by a prison guard in Rawalpindi.

"The PM raised the Asghar case," said Cameron's spokesperson.

"Our focus at the moment is making sure he gets the right level of treatment and that the case is handled in the right way, given his particular situation."

Asghar had previously been detained under the mental health act in Britain and diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia,  according to documents his lawyers supplied to Reuters.

COMMENTS (18)

Aschraful Makhlooq | 9 years ago | Reply

"LONDON:Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Friday said that a stable, prosperous and democratic Afghanistan was in Pakistan’s best interest." If provided that India has to be stayed away from Afghanistan's most internal matters because India is already interfering in Balochistan's matters and would never miss any chances to interfere in Pakistan's matters thru Afghanistan most especially importantly on the name of participating in the Afghanistan's peace process.......

Grace | 9 years ago | Reply

@Waheed: I think Imran Khan should invite the British PM to the extravagent home of his father in law Lord Goldsmith. He may have passed away but it's still in the family. Ro Imran Ro! @Jimbo: Don't you know that Pakistanis like to complain and make accusations without any proof? It's part of our DNA to complain even though things in Pakistan have actually improved as you point out.

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