ISLAMABAD: Britain on Tuesday welcomed Pakistan’s decision to hold an investigation into the Pathankot incident and urged both Pakistan and India not to let “non-state actors” derail the peace process.
Addressing a joint press conference here along with Advisor to Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz, British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond said, “I urge both Pakistan and India not to allow non-state actors and other pressure groups to derail the peace process.”
The British foreign secretary termed Pakistan’s fight against terrorism a “role model” and expressed the hope that progress would be made on the investigation. He lauded Pakistan’s role in the fight against terrorism and said his country would continue to support Pakistan in the war on terror. “I salute Pakistan’s efforts in the fight against terrorism. Pakistan is the victim of terrorism and we want to work with Pakistan to take on the threats it faces.” He said the two countries would remain partner against terrorism.
Aziz said that Pakistan-India talks were not tied to the investigation into the Pathankot incident and added that Pakistan’s joint investigation team would visit India in a few days to gather evidence. Without giving a date, he expressed the hope that the foreign secretaries of the two countries would meet soon.
Hammond, referring to Pakistan-India ties, welcomed the commitment shown by Pakistan to investigate the Pathankot incident. To a question, he said his country would support dialogue between Pakistan and India for peace and security in the region.
Aziz expressed confidence that the Afghan reconciliation process would start in the next few days.
Hammond welcomed Pakistan’s efforts for reconciliation in Afghanistan and said they discussed support of the international community to the Afghan reconciliation process.
To a question, he said peace in the region was vital for both countries. He said there was a need for more confidence building measures between the two countries to stop terrorists from using their territories to launch attacks.
Pakistan and the United Kingdom also agreed on a three-year roadmap for enhanced cooperation in different fields, with a focus on health and education sectors. The understanding for the three-year roadmap from 2016-18 came at a meeting between Aziz and Hammond at the Foreign Office. Aziz said the two countries would be holding next round of their strategic dialogue in the next few weeks.
Pakistan and the United Kingdom agreed on the Enhanced Strategic Dialogue in April 2011.
