No.10 rendezvous: UK pledges sustained anti-terror support for Pakistan

Premier Nawaz meets his British counterpart, attends centenary of the Gallipoli Campaign

LONDON: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Saturday met his British counterpart David Cameron at 10 Downing Street where the two leaders discussed a wide range of issues pertaining to bilateral cooperation as well as regional and international situation, including the current situation in the Middle East.

They expressed satisfaction that relations between the two countries had substantially strengthened in recent years. They also expressed the confidence that bilateral ties between the two countries would see further enhancement, especially in the areas of trade and economy.

Premier Cameron acknowledged Pakistan’s efforts to eradicate extremism and terrorism from its soil and said the United Kingdom would continue to assist and extend cooperation to Pakistan in this regard.

Prime Minister Nawaz appreciated the UK’s cooperation and assistance in the areas of security and counterterrorism. Special Assistant to PM Tariq Fatemi and Pakistan’s High Commissioner Syed Ibne Abbas accompanied the prime minister.

Earlier, the prime minister, who is currently in London at the invitation of his British counterpart, joined other world leaders at the centenary commemoration of the Gallipoli Campaign in the  First World War.

The ceremony was also attended by Queen Elizabeth II, Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Philip, Prince Charles, senior officials of British government and representatives of Commonwealth countries as well as Turkey.

The year 2015 marks the 100th anniversary of the battle in the Dardanelles Strait in Canakkale province’s peninsula of Gallipoli, at which there was a turnaround in favour of the Turks and other Ottoman citizens fighting in First World War against the allied forces. The commemoration event was held at The Cenotaph, a memorial erected for those who took part in the campaign.

The prime minister, along with other world leaders, laid a wreath at the war memorial. British Queen Elizabeth II laid the first wreath followed by the British prime minister and others.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 26^th, 2015.