National Security Adviser (NSA) Lt-Gen (retd) Nasser Khan Janjua said on Tuesday that the Britain is ‘unfortunately’ providing a ‘safe abode’ to Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) founder Altaf Hussain and some dissident Baloch leaders.
“It is unfortunate that the United Kingdom preferred individuals such as Altaf Hussain and Baloch leaders over the state relationship,” Janjua remarked during a meeting with a seven-member British Parliamentary delegation, who is presently on a visit to Pakistan.
According to an official handout, the delegation specially raised the matter of the MQM supremo, ties with India, Kashmir dispute and Modi’s threat to stop water for Pakistan.
Referring to India, the NSA explained how the fragile security architecture of the region is fast becoming under stress and has started to suffer of serious imbalance.
Janjua also urged the British government to have a balanced regional approach as the imbalance in the region is becoming critical which needs to be retrieved and restored immediately.
Subsequently, he apprised the delegates of a greater and brighter future which Pakistan holds by providing largest geo-strategic connectivity to the world.
Besides discussing regional and global issues significant for the two countries, the visiting team exchanged views on matters pertaining to further enhancing the bilateral cooperation.
The NSA said Islamabad highly values its relationship with the UK which has a strategic character. Janjua stressed the need for further improving the understanding between the two nations to further strengthen the ties and explore more areas of cooperation.
Pak-UK challenges
The members of delegation sought the opinion of the National Security Adviser on many serious issues and challenges faced both by the two governments.
The NSA briefed them at length about the rise of extreme thought, extremism, conflict in the Muslim world, rise of the Islamic State (IS), resilience and sacrifices of the Pakistani nation, seeking closure of overall conflictual situations in the region and world.
The matters which also came under discussion include control and restraints of social media to curb spread of extremism and implementation of national action plan.
The leader of the visiting delegation said the UK understands and acknowledges the role of Pakistan against terrorism.
The delegates also appreciated the resilience of Pakistani nation against terrorism and urged a desire to strengthen and diversify relations with Pakistan to face the challenges of future together.
The delegation, comprising ruling Conservative Party MPs, included Rehman Chishti, Nigel Huddleston, Mark Pawsey, Henry Smith, Matthew Offord and Royston Smith who also called on Prime Minister’s Adviser on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz.
