News
Top British officials meet PM, COAS
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday met UK National Security Adviser Kim Darroch who called on him at the PM House.
General Sir Nicholas Houghton, Chief of Defence Staff, Simon Gass, Special Representative on Afghanistan and Pakistan, Philip Barton, British High Commissioner, Satraj Aziz, Adviser to PM, and Tariq Fatimi, Special Assistant to PM also attended the meeting. Prime Minister Nawaz said that Pakistan is facing huge challenges. The major issues faced by Pakistan are economy, energy and terrorism. Our progressive policies have shown positive results on economy, while we have taken concrete steps to overcome the energy crisis. In order to tackle the issue of terrorism we have evolved consensus, amongst all the stakeholders, for dialogue, PM told.
Prime Minister said that Pakistan believe in policy of non-interference. “Our soil will not be used against Afghanistan and we support the democratic process in Afghanistan,” PM added. He said that we do not want to fall into arms race in the region and want peace and stability in the region. There is a need to enhance investment in social sectors of health and education and we have taken steps towards these ends. PM appreciated UKs support for Pakistan in social sector. Speaking on the occasion Kim Darroch said, “We support the objectives of Pakistan’s internal security. He also expressed his confidence in Pakistan’s economic policies and added that the country’s economy is poised to take off.
Darroch and General Sir Nicholas Houghton also called on Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif at the General Headquarters on Wednesday. During the meeting, wide range of issues of mutual interest including defence and security cooperation and measures contributing towards regional stability came under discussion, said an ISPR press release issued here. Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan, Simon Gass and British High Commissioner, Philip Barton were also present during the meeting.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk