Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Qamar Zaman Kaira has said the Friday's crucial meeting between President Asif Ali Zardari and David Cameron will go a long way in correcting the perception about Pakistan following British Prime Minister controversial terror remarks.
Addressing a series of community meetings in north west English cities of Burnley, and Auden Shaw in Greater Manchester ahead of Zardari-Cameron August 6 talks and President's public address in Birmingham the following day, the Minister said cancellation of President's visit to Britain would have led to isolating Pakistan and success for its detractors.
He said it was imperative that the wrong impression created by the British Prime Minister's remarks on Pakistan on the Indian soil must be dealt in a forthright manner and the best way is to hold a face to face meeting and clear the misperception.
The Minister strongly rebutted the criticism on President's visit to Britain saying that in international relations it was vital to interact with the other countries to project Pakistan's point of view. "The President would forcefully take up statement of Cameron during the meeting. The world need to know that Pakistan's sacrifices on war against terrorism were more than any other nation."
Furthermore, he said the President would be meeting new British leadership that came into power following May 6 general elections. He said the President has already met some British officials back in Pakistan but his meeting with Cameron has assumed special significance amidst this row. Kaira said the inter-state relations are based on dialogues and diplomacy and not on sentiments and emotions.
"President Zardari will present Pakistan's standpoint in his talks with Mr Cameron as Pakistan government was shocked by the remarks made him that were contrary to the truth." The Minister in his speeches explained in length about the situation and challenges in all walks of life when the present democratic Government took over.
He also narrated the achievements of the government like establishment of coalition governments in all provinces, National Finance Commission Award, administrative powers to Gilgit and Baltistan and creating consensus along the political parties and people on war against terrorism and resultant achievement in this regard.
Kaira said the government had been successful in projecting Pakistan's point and break the isolation which it faced in comity of nations after the Mumbai incident. The Information Minister also spoke about the efforts of the government in providing assistance to the victims of the unprecedented floods throughout Pakistan.