ISLAMABAD: The United Kingdom is “unfortunately” choosing “individuals” over its relationship with the state, National Security Adviser (NSA) Lt Gen (r) Nasser Janjua said on Tuesday.
He said this while talking to a delegation of the British Parliament members, visiting Pakistan.
Janjua was speaking with reference to Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) leader Altaf Hussain as well as 13 Baloch leaders who have found a “safe abode” in the UK, read a statement issued by the NSA’s office.
The response from Janjua came when the seven-member delegation discussed various issues and challenges both countries faced, including Altaf’s self-imposed exile, Pakistan’s relationship with India and the Kashmir dispute.
“Pakistan highly values its relationship with the UK, which has a strategic character,” the national security adviser said. “There is a need to explore various areas of cooperation and strengthen understanding between the two countries,” he said.
Janjua apprised the foreign diplomats at length about the rise of extremism, the conflicts in the Muslim world and the rise of Daesh, adding that Pakistan was making efforts to bring peace and stability in the region.
The national security adviser further informed them of the steps Pakistan is taking such as policing social media in an effort to eliminate extremism and implement the National Action Plan.
Regarding India, Janjua explained to the delegation “how [fast] the fragile security architecture of the region” was getting burdened and how it had started to “suffer from serious imbalance”.
He further urged the UK to adopt a “balanced regional approach” with its diplomatic relations so as to “restore” balance in the region.
The delegation in its response said that the UK acknowledges Pakistan’s role in establishing peace, stability and security in the region, and expressed desire to diversify its relations with the country.
Adviser to Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz also met the parliamentary delegation from the United Kingdom (UK) on Tuesday.
The meeting was held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a press release said.The delegation comprised ruling UK Conservative Party (members of parliament) including Rehman Chishti, Nigel Huddleston, Mark Pawsey, Henry Smith, Matthew Offord and Royston Smith.The adviser highlighted the important progress made by Pakistan during the last four years in counterterrorism, economic development and democratic consolidation.
Aziz also briefed the parliamentarians about Pakistan’s efforts for regional peace and initiatives aimed at promoting regional connectivity. Besides apprising the British parliamentarians about the regional political and security situation, the adviser also briefed them on the grave human rights violations in Indian occupied Kashmir and the current state of Pakistan-India relations. Paying rich tribute to sacrifices made by Pakistan in counterterrorism, the British parliamentarians acknowledged Pakistan’s role in promoting international peace and security as well as its contribution in regional stability.
They also commended the role of Pakistani diaspora in Britain and called for enhanced interaction between the two countries in all aspects of their bilateral relationship.
