Minister defends meeting between Zardari and UK PM Cameron

[Lahore_Real_Estate]

MANCHESTER: Federal Information and Broadcasting Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira has said that the crucial meeting between President Asif Ali Zardari and British Prime Minister David Cameron today (Friday) will help remove misgiving that has developed between the two countries over the remarks of the latter allegedly linking Pakistan to terrorism.

Addressing community meetings in Rushome in Greater Manchester ahead of Zardari-Cameron talks and the president’s public address in Birmingham the following day, the minister said that the occasion would provide President Zardari to clear misperceptions about Pakistan and present real facts regarding his country’s contribution in the war against terrorism.

He said it was imperative that the wrong impression created by the British prime minister about Pakistan on Indian soil be dealt within a forthright manner, and the best way was to hold a face-to-face meeting and clear the misleading remarks. He noted the sacrifices rendered by the armed forces and the people in fighting terrorism and extremist elements.

The minister strongly rebutted the criticism on the president’s visit to Britain, saying that in international relations it was vital to interact with other countries to project Pakistan’s point of view. “The president would forcefully take up statement of Mr Cameron during the meeting. The world needs to know that Pakistan’s sacrifices in the war against terrorism were more than those of any other nation,” he said.

Furthermore, Kaira said that the president would be meeting the new British leadership that came into power following the May 6 general elections, and the meeting has assumed special significance amidst this row. He said the inter-state relations were based on dialogue and diplomacy and not on sentiments and emotions. “President Zardari will present Pakistan’s standpoint in his talks with Mr Cameron, as the government was shocked by the remarks,” he said.

Kaira said the government had been successful in projecting Pakistan’s point and break the isolation, which it faced after the Mumbai attack.