Nawaz Sharif reaches London on British PM's invite

E-Paper | May 02, 2026

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif reached London on Friday on the invitation of Britain's Prime Minister David Cameron, DawnNews reported.

He was received at Heathrow Airport by Representative of the British Government Ambassador Nicholas Jarrold and Pakistan's High Commissioner to the UK Syed Ibne Abbas.

"The prime minister, during the course of his visit, will participate in the National Commemoration of the Centenary of Gallipoli Campaign and Anzac Day where he will interact with other participating leaders and dignitaries," Foreign Office (FO) spokesperson Tasneem Aslam had said on his departure.

Nawaz embarked on the trip to United Kingdom only a day after returning from Saudi Arabia.

The spokesperson further said the premier will also hold official talks on bilateral, regional and global issues with his British counterpart.

Nawaz is also expected to meet British leaders and business executives during his visit.

Yesterday, PM Nawaz along with army chief Raheel Sharif went to Riyadh for a day-long visit where where he expressed “solidarity” with Saudi Arabia after Pakistan's parliament refused to send forces to help a Saudi-led coalition in Yemen, a Pakistani official had said.

Read: PM Nawaz expresses 'solidarity' with Saudi Arabia over Yemen

The visit took place at a time when Saudi Arabia announced an end to the Operation Decisive Storm in a move towards the start of political dialogue to settle the dispute.

Pakistan has welcomed the halting of air strikes by Saudi Arabia.

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Parvez

Apr 24, 2015 04:28pm

How much London real-estate can one purchase ?....apparently a lot.

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Omar

Apr 24, 2015 04:48pm

million miles frequent flyer card ready fr the PM . . . . . days inoffice spent more in air thanon ground . . . . .

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Zak

Apr 24, 2015 05:08pm

Now the west is recognizing Pakistan as the true respected regional power. Others in the region, will have to accept it.

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Vijay

Apr 24, 2015 05:13pm

Worlds begging bowl in pole position set for london race

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someone

Apr 24, 2015 05:23pm

by the way, which UK leaders are going to meet him?

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Apr 24, 2015 05:33pm

""The prime minister will participate in the National Commemoration of the Centenary of Gallipoli Campaign and Anzac Day"" So, our PM is going to London for a history lesson, to learn that Gallipoli is in Turkey, and the Campaign was against the Turks. I hope, he remembers it after the visit.

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Sunil

Apr 24, 2015 05:41pm

@Zak Is London in the west? PM Nawaz Sharif is headed to London to seek advice from powerful country UK.

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Zak

Apr 24, 2015 05:42pm

@Zak Accepted ,what next.

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Raheem

Apr 24, 2015 05:42pm

Nawaz is to meet British leaders and business executives during his visit

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Zak

Apr 24, 2015 06:07pm

@Zak resolution of kashmir next.

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M.Malik

Apr 24, 2015 06:15pm

Trip number......i've lost count. Does anyone know ??

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Fareed

Apr 24, 2015 06:28pm

@AJ - Good question. I do n't think he ever picked up any history book. At Raiwind palace there are only two books - How to buy & sell real estate and a telephone directory.

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Apr 24, 2015 06:35pm

@Zak Overruled. Next

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George

Apr 24, 2015 06:44pm

@Vijay You're being funny! Aren't you?

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George

Apr 24, 2015 06:45pm

@Sunil I didn't know that!

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NINO

Apr 24, 2015 06:47pm

We , including I, are such cynics that no matter how good a man does, if we are not affiliated to him by bonds of language or party, the hatred transcends. Our opinions are so blurred and nebulous that we have stopped differentiating between evil and good; our views are directly related to our personal likes or otherwise. I am convinced that I must stop, pause and analyse if there is any virtue to any one or it is total notoriety. I suspect that my inherited psyche is such that it would be difficult well nigh impossible to convert myself to a positive thinking man. I have also, during my days, learnt to admire myself that I do a lot of good in my jobs but the rest are useless. Alas, I discovered in all these years that I and the flock who worked together ,were more or less alike. Shall my grandchildren distinguish between the truth and falsehood and that some individuals are heroic and deserve to be spoken well of and admired on occasions when they so deserve.

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ali ahmed

Apr 24, 2015 07:08pm

how much dollar he taking for money laundering?

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public

Apr 24, 2015 07:12pm

Our Prime Minister for External Affairs is the most sought after person who is an authority on world affairs that includes Banking Finance and MOUs. It just happens that his sons and mother are in London hence five days stay.

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Khalid

Apr 24, 2015 07:21pm

Anyone else would have sent our Ambassador in London for this duty. But not our Prime Minister. He never misses a free trip to London for which the poor taxpayers pay. The country is burning at both ends and he has no time to sit still in the country. More important business meetings to attend!.

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abhishek

Apr 24, 2015 07:34pm

As UK is going to polls this May and leadership may(or may not) change. So why Pak PM need to go now. Cant wait for a month? Just curious

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Amir Indian

Apr 24, 2015 08:22pm

@Zak PM Modi will visit after elections in UK, and UK PM also visit India after elections.

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Gaz

Apr 24, 2015 08:26pm

UK is two weeks away from an election so very unlikely that the UK pm would have invited him at this time.

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Abdullah Yousuf

Apr 24, 2015 08:33pm

Best Wishes and every Sucess to PM Nawaz Shareef on his trip to S.Arabia,and UK. British and Pakistan have close historic ties,and UK is a big trading partner of Pakistan. You may call it a motherland,as well as fatherland of Pakistani leaders and politicians as well.

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Zak

Apr 24, 2015 08:40pm

@KM next UN involvement, US, west.

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rana1

Apr 24, 2015 08:59pm

@NINO ......well said.Pakistanis please retrospect and then point fingers,remember the rest of fingers point back to you.

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Aurangzeb

Apr 24, 2015 09:01pm

To show sincerity one must look into eyes while shaking hand, but Nawaz.

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Syed H Imran

Apr 24, 2015 09:07pm

@Zak dream on!!

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rana1

Apr 24, 2015 09:10pm

@Parvez .......really? All of you pakistanis would do the same if you were in his place or Asif Zardari's position or in Musharrafs boots.No one of you would lose any sleep or oppurtunity to amass wealth.Having lived abroad,almost the majority pakistanis live on debt..They have no qualms in dealing with interest(riba) and i can imagine those in pakistan would not stop at anything to amass wealth,interest or no interest.So retrospect first.

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dost mohammed

Apr 24, 2015 09:11pm

Odd. There's zero coverage of it in the UK media/press.

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Akhtar

Apr 24, 2015 09:32pm

Any discussion should be about investment in to Pakistan. The Pakistani tax payer should get value for money from these trips.

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Zak

Apr 24, 2015 09:37pm

@KM ....and you are?

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Muhammad Jamal

Apr 24, 2015 09:45pm

Can UK embassy in ISLAMABAD clarify that our PM is in UK is on official or private visit.

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One Trick Pony

Apr 24, 2015 09:51pm

Since Saudis are mad at Sharif, London will be his second home.

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Hindutavi Rakshas

Apr 24, 2015 09:52pm

What's the point if so many foreign tours without caring of data refugees and in troubled areas in remote parts of th he country.Is this kind of picnic season.

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Hindutavi Rakshas

Apr 24, 2015 09:53pm

@Zak we need west Box's to be we are powerful or nor, stop these slavery signs which these Britishets had injected through democratic and educational system.

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Hindutavi Rakshas

Apr 24, 2015 09:54pm

@Vijay India never asked any foreign aid ever I guess right

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Hindutavi Rakshas

Apr 24, 2015 09:54pm

@Sunil yes it is in West troll.

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Sense

Apr 24, 2015 10:00pm

@Vijay India has run a trade deficit for 10 straight years and has begged its forign reserves up to $333 billion,it owes 400 billion dollars against Pakistan's $58 billion,it's the pot calling the kettle black bring out your shine box I'll give you 5 pairs to shine.

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Ashi

Apr 24, 2015 10:07pm

Why didn't PM of UK receive him? No official protocol for reception?

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ShahrukhKhan

Apr 24, 2015 10:11pm

@Zak Hand it over to India, case solved.

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Raaz

Apr 24, 2015 10:15pm

NS is ready to go anywhere on a seconds notice .

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Omar

Apr 24, 2015 10:16pm

wwhen he goes to saudi arabia at times the King comes over to rcv him, while in london an ambassaor level guy rcvd him ........ wht a disgrace .........

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Kautiliya

Apr 24, 2015 10:18pm

It appears that David Cameron is hoping to get a million Pakistani Muslim votes in up coming UK elections which is around the corner. A master stroke on part of David,I say ole mate, don't you think.

Recommend 0

Apr 24, 2015 10:28pm

@Zak Old story. What next now?

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Fahim Khan

Apr 24, 2015 10:28pm

Please visit Karachi, Balochistan, KPK and southern Punjab to have some connection with the people of Pakistan. You were not elected to serve Lahore, Isalamabad, Riyadh, Istanbul, London and Washington .

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Sajjad

Apr 24, 2015 10:29pm

@dost mohammed Why there would be coverage, he is there just to receive his property rents.

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Hindutavi Rakshas

Apr 24, 2015 11:54pm

@Raaz fond of travelling, typical Capricorn

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Khwaja

Apr 24, 2015 11:58pm

This yatra is more than a business. What is forthcoming may disturb Pakistan a bit.

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Zak

Apr 25, 2015 12:03am

@KM ...and you are, next.

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Shahid Khan

Apr 25, 2015 12:28am

Is British Prime Minister going to pay for travel expenses? A poor and such a highly dependent nation on foreign Aid should avoid unnecessary travel expenses, unless it is absolutely necessary. Instead a lower level minister can fly on normal airline!

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Rahi milla

Apr 25, 2015 12:39am

Good, Pakistan is open for business.

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Shahpur

Apr 25, 2015 12:45am

Yeman exists as a cross road of cultures and as a strategic location. The British knows it well, much more, than anyone. I hope British educate Nawaz Shariff, that he tells Saudis, that there will be a "Democratic Yeman". Because it is in the best interest of Europe, US, UN, Yemanis, and Arabia. Yeman is a test case, for any future hope in this ravaged landscape of Arabia. Arabs have very few options. Either they stay in Arabia and fight, live in refugee camps, or take a boat to Europe and die on the sea. If Europe, US, and UN invest in Yeman, for a Democratic Yemen, it is best for every body. West has to make the decision, either to arm the dictators of Arabia or create a Democratic State of Yeman, as a hope to the people of Arabia.

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Fakhir

Apr 25, 2015 12:58am

He is doing his best, and he is best in visiting countries. What else do you expect from NS. From 41 degree centigrade to 8 degree centigrade.

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Sense

Apr 25, 2015 01:11am

British are smelling the money

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prashanthr

Apr 25, 2015 01:30am

@Zak We Indians are already viewing Pakistan as a super power. May be nobody in Pakistan bothered to tell you that.

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Gaz

Apr 25, 2015 01:40am

This is clearly a private visit and not an invite from the UK government. This PM is so silly I mean does he not know that with the internet a lie like this will be exposed within minutes and hours not days and weeks.

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Naeem

Apr 25, 2015 01:59am

NS is the probably the most traveled leader. How much public money he has wasted is anybody's guess. It is interesting that the more money one has the more greedy one gets. How much more real estate does NS want in London.

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Naeem

Apr 25, 2015 02:01am

I just saw that NS is being greeted by an ambasador not even a Minister. How low can on get

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Love Pakistan

Apr 25, 2015 02:08am

@Vijay Is Indian pm also going?

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Ridwan

Apr 25, 2015 02:08am

Imrans supporters don't seem to understand that promoting the cause of pakistan in foreign capitols is a PMs job.

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ITellYou

Apr 25, 2015 02:09am

@KM Balochistan next...lol

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Ridwan

Apr 25, 2015 02:12am

@Fahim Khan The prime minister indeed should travel abroad. That's what PMs do. Modi, xi, Obama... Don't attack the office of the pm just because your candidate couldn't win (and won't win either. Imran has done nothing for KPK. What successes can he even campaign on?)

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Shakeel khan

Apr 25, 2015 02:43am

Royal family of pakistan

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Lalit

Apr 25, 2015 02:54am

@Fareed , History lesson for you my friend, Md. bin Qasim was the founder of Pakistan.In fact, the first Muslims of Indian origin were probably from the lower castes, as Islam offered them an escape from the oppressive social system they were accustomed to.

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Lalit

Apr 25, 2015 02:59am

@Khalid , At a time when global aid levels are falling, development experts have stressed the importance of domestic resource mobilisation – collecting taxes. The report notes that for the past decade, tax in Pakistan as a proportion of GDP has remained at or around 10%. This compares with tax collection rates of around 14% to 15% of GDP in countries with similar per capita incomes. Pakistan's VAT efficiency is 25%, the lowest in the world (Sri Lanka's is 45%) .

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M.Malik

Apr 25, 2015 03:57am

How is Pakistan related to Gallipoli or Anzac campaign? And how does this trip benefit Pakistan? Oh, and how much forex is being dished at this dapper trip?

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Abdul

Apr 25, 2015 04:30am

Sorry who went to receive our PM?

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CYRUS

Apr 25, 2015 04:52am

@Zak I hope the West will, but this is a British Commonwealth matter.

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CYRUS

Apr 25, 2015 04:55am

@M.Malik I don't know, but Pakistan finally has an effective leader.

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CYRUS

Apr 25, 2015 04:59am

@NINO If I lived in Pakistan I would have carte blanche to hate everyone and everything.

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nation lover

Apr 25, 2015 05:41am

@Love Pakistan he already went and he is received by pm of uk...?? not by diplomat..!!

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Fareed

Apr 25, 2015 05:57am

"will participate in the National Commemoration of the Centenary of Gallipoli Campaign and Anzac " Does Nawaz Sharif know what Gallipoli Campaign was about? It was attack on Ottomon Empire by combined forces of Britain, France on 25th April 1915, the aim was to capture Constantinople from Ottomon. Turks inflicted a defeat on allied forces, war ended on 9th Jan. 2016. It is the day that Turkish nation is proud of. Why would PM of Pakistan join this commemoration especially when Turkey is the closest friend of Pakistan.

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Human

Apr 25, 2015 06:06am

@Sunil if not then where is it???

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Bachabassi,karachi

Apr 25, 2015 06:08am

@Zak ,.. he was summoned to tell him to make up his mind on Yemen.

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fawad

Apr 25, 2015 06:30am

Modi-effect?

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danih

Apr 25, 2015 02:37pm

In future election is tobe done in presence of ranger or pk army for fair election

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