ISLAMABAD: The United Kingdom is “unfortunately” choosing “individuals” over its rel
ationship with the state, Nat
ional 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 rel
ationship
with India and the Kashmir dispute.
“Pakistan highly values its rel
ationship with the UK, which has a strategic character,” the nat
ional 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 nat
ional 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 Nat
ional 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 reg
ional approach” with its diplomatic rel
ations 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 rel
ations with the country.
Meeting with Sartaj Aziz
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 reg
ional peace and initiatives aimed at promoting reg
ional connectivity.
Besides apprising the British parliamentarians about the reg
ional political and security situation, the adviser also briefed them on the grave human rights viol
ations in Indian occupied Kashmir and the current state of Pakistan-India rel
ations.
Paying rich tribute to sacrifices made by Pakistan in counterterrorism, the British parliamentarians acknowledged Pakistan’s role in promoting internat
ional peace and security as well as its contribution in reg
ional 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 rel
ationship.