In order to further cement ties between two countries, British Prime Minister David Cameron will arrive on a two-day visit to Pakistan on Saturday while Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will leave on four-day visit to China on July 4.
Islamabad, June 28/Nationalturk – British Prime Minister David Cameron will arrive on a two-day visit to Pakistan on Saturday while Pakistan Prime Minister will leave on four-day visit to his country’s all weather ally China on July 4.
“British Prime Minister David Cameron will arrive in Pakistan tomorrow (June 29) on a two-day visit to meet the country’s new leadership,” Pakistan’s newspaper The Dawn quoted official sources as saying. .
It said Cameron’s visit schedule is being kept a tightly guarded secret due to security concerns.
Cameron will be the first foreign leader to visit Pakistan after the PML-N government led by Nawaz Sharif took over reigns of the country after winning May 11 general elections.
Officials said during the two-day visit, Cameron would meet Pakistan’s Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, President Asif Ali Zardari and many other leaders.
“Besides discussing bilateral relationship, British PM and his Pakistani counterpart will exchange notes on Afghan reconciliation process ,” officials said.
They said despite the apparently strong political ties, visa issue has remained a major irritant in relationship. The UK government this week announced that it was including Pakistan in a pilot project involving six countries, whose nationals may be required to furnish a bond of up to £3000.
Pakistan government has protested against the bond requirement.
The United Kingdom is one of Pakistan’s major development partners. It is also Pakistan’s second largest trading partner in Europe and an important source of foreign investment and remittances.
Pakistan PM to visit China in first week of July
Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will undertake his first foreign tour to China after assuming power.
“PM will visit China from July 4 to 8 at the invitation of the Chinese Premier Li Keqiang. He will be accompanied by a high-level delegation,” Pakistan Foreign Office spokesman said.
He said besides official talks with the Chinese leadership, Nawaz’s engagements in China include meetings with leaders of Chinese financial and corporate sector, interaction with media, visit to major industrial centers and Special Economic Zones.
Officials said economic cooperation between Pakistan and China has expanded significantly in recent years. “Under a comprehensive framework Pakistan and China have bilateral economic cooperation in the form of Joint Economic Commission, Economic Cooperation Group, Joint Energy Working Group and a Joint Investment Company, besides several other mechanisms.”
They said the trade volume between the two countries last year crossed the figure of US$ 12 billion with Pakistan exports increasing by 48%. “More than 120 Chinese companies are engaged in Pakistan and Chinese investment touched the figure of US$ 2 billion in 2012.”
China is Pakistan’s all weather ally and has been providing economic and military aid to country.
“We are confident that Prime Minister’s visit will provide further impetus to enhancing the existing strategic partnership between Pakistan and China,” added Pakistan’s foreign office spokesman.
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Faiz Ahmad / NationalTurk Pakistan News
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