Cameron, Sharif to discuss Afghan peace drive

KABUL, media reports said on Friday.

Scheduled to arrive in Islamabad on a two-day visit on Saturday, Cameron would meet President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and senior foreign ministry officials, the Online news agency reported.

Efforts at promoting stability in the region, the situation in Afghanistan and UK-Pakistan cooperation would figure prominently at the meetings, according to the report, which said Cameron would also meet representatives of the business fraternity and students.

Pakistani leaders will brief the British premier on the country’s initiatives for peace and stability in Afghanistan and commitment to eradicating terrorism and extremism from the region, the state-controlled Radio Pakistan reported.

Cameron’s schedule is being kept a tightly-guarded secret by the Foreign Office due to security concerns, with its spokesman Aizaz Chaudhry when saying: “I am not in a position to confirm the visit.”

The two prime ministers were likely to assess the progress achieved in the Enhanced Strategic Dialogue the two countries have been holding since 2011, said Dawn. The dialogue covers cooperation in trade, finance, development assistance, education and defence.

PAN Monitor/mud

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