ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said on Thursday that people and state institutions of Pakistan were determined to eliminate the threat of terrorism.

He was talking to British National Security Adviser Kim Darroch during a meeting with him at 10 Downing Street in London

The two leaders discussed Pakistan-UK relations, mutual cooperation and the regional situation, said a press release received here from London.

Chaudhry Nisar said that the menace of terrorism was a threat to the region and international peace and tranquillity.

As a result of operation Zarb-i-Azb and implementation of the National Action Plan to counter terrorism, he said, security situation had significantly improved in Pakistan.

Discussing the regional situation, he said that peace, stability and development in Afghanistan were in the interest of Pakistan.

He regretted that Islamabad’s sincere efforts for peace in Afghanistan had met with negative and wrong reaction.

The minister said that friendly relations with neighbouring countries on the basis of equality were the fundamental principle of Pakistan’s foreign policy.

He highlighted sacrifices of Pakistani people in the war against terrorism and said that they expected that there would be no discrimination over the sensitive issue at international level.

He said that Islam and terrorism are two opposite things and urged the West to understand the difference between them.

He said that the government and people of Pakistan desired peace and appreciated the cooperation of international community in this regard.

About the role of Pakistani community in the UK, the minister said that it was contributing to development of the country, serving as a bridge to cement Pakistan-UK bilateral relations and translating the relations to the level of people of the two countries.

Kim Darroch appreciated valuable sacrifices people of Pakistan had rendered in the war against terrorism.

He said that the UK would continue to provide assistance to Pakistan for the welfare and socio-economic development of its people and the strengthening of its institutions.

Published in Dawn, August 28th, 2015

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