Federal Minister for Information & Broadcasting Sherry Rehman said on Saturday that Pakistan's historical relations with the United Kingdom are based on a shared commitment for democracy and an enduring trust, and both countries have a steady history of multifaceted bilateral co-operation.
"Pakistan-UK relations have withstood the challenges of history because of a love of democracy and an enduring bond between the people of our two countries," said the minister during a luncheon meeting hosted by her for the visiting British Parliamentarians.
"We greatly value Britain's support for Pakistan's democratically elected government," said the Federal Minister. "Pakistan is committed to its diversified strategic partnership with the UK to fight extremism and terrorism; to bring peace to the region and to enhance mutual opportunities for trade, investment and economic growth," she added.
The British Parliamentarians' delegation comprised MPs Muhammad Sarwar, Jim McGovern, Jim Divine and Mark Fisher, and was accompanied by Ambassador at Large, Javed Malik. Appreciating the delegation's visit to Pakistan, Sherry Rehman said such people-to-people contacts were the backbone of bilateral relations between any two countries and were of tremendous value.
She said that one million strong Pakistani community living in the UK was another very strong link between the two countries, and it was playing a vital role in cementing the bonds of friendship between Pakistan and Britain through people-to-people interactions.
During the interaction, the Minister also apprised the delegation of the government's media outreach and communications set-up and recent efforts vis-vis contemporary media environment. She highlighted the government's particular focus on issues related to growth of democracy, national security and counter-terrorism in Pakistan. Recalling her visit to London in November last and meetings with senior UK officials, Sherry Rehman informed the delegation of the Ministry's ongoing co-operation with UK on counter-terrorism communications.
Expressing support for the democratic government's efforts for creating national consensus on issues of national security and democracy in Pakistan, the parliamentary delegation apprised the Minister of their own efforts vis-a-vis the UK government and Parliament in order to safeguard and promote interests of the Pakistani's living in Britain.