Ahead of Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari's United Kingdom visit, Pakistan government on Monday summoned British High Commissioner Adam Thomson and conveyed its position on Premier David Cameron's warning that Islamabad should sever links with groups that "export" terrorism to India.
Thomson was summoned to the foreign office in Islamabad by Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi. During the meeting, Qureshi "conveyed the sentiments of the government and the people of Pakistan at the remarks made by the British Prime Minister during his recent visit to India regarding Pakistan," an official statement said.
Qureshi described terrorism as a global issue that has to be "dealt with by all countries in a spirit of cooperation, rather than putting the entire onus on any one country".
He said Pakistan was a victim of terrorism and "its efforts against violent extremism could not be negated". The British envoy was summoned as Zardari is set to embark on a visit to Britian on Tuesday after ignoring calls from various quarters to call off his trip.
The British envoy "explained the context in which the remarks were made by the British prime minister, adding that the UK was looking forward to further strengthening its strategic relations with Pakistan in the months and years ahead", the statement said.
It said the upcoming meeting between Zardari and Cameron at Chequers, the British premier's country home, will "provide a useful opportunity to understand each other's viewpoint on issues of mutual concern, as well as take the bilateral relationship forward".
There was no word from the British high commission on the meeting, which was held at the Pakistani foreign minister's request. Cameron stirred up a storm in Pakistan by saying at a public interaction in Bangalore last week that Pakistan should sever links with all groups that promote the "export of terror" to India, Afghanistan and other parts of the world.
Despite criticism of his remarks by Pakistani leaders, Cameron defended them, saying it was "important to speak frankly".
The 10, Downing Street has also ruled out the possibility of Cameron backing away or apologising for his remarks.
Though Pakistani leaders, including main opposition Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz chief Nawaz Sharif and Imran Khan, called on Zardari to call off his visit to Britain, the President decided to go ahead with the trip.
The chief of Pakistan's powerful Inter-Services Intelligence agency cancelled a visit to Britain in August, apparently to protest Cameron's remarks. Foreign Minister Qureshi too described the remarks as "totally unacceptable".
