LONDON: The British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson on Wednesday said the United Kingdom was hugely interested in China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and would like to benefit from opportunities arising from the multi-billion-dollar initiative.
In a meeting with the Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal in London, the Foreign Secretary said UK greatly valued its friendship with Pakistan and was looking forward to further strengthening these ties.
Boris Johnson commended Pakistan’s economic reforms agenda and acknowledged that Pakistan had great potential for economic growth. He particularly appreciated Pakistan’s counter-terrorism efforts to bring about peace in the region and the world at large.
Ahsan Iqbal briefed the British Foreign Secretary that Pakistan was undergoing a remarkable transformation as a result of improved security situation, impressive economic growth and consolidation of democratic institutions.
The interior minister further said Pakistan greatly appreciated UK’s role as its important trade and investment partner. He informed the Foreign Secretary in detail about Pakistan’s efforts to eliminate extremism and terrorism from the Country.
Separately, Ahsan Iqbal also held a meeting with the British Minister of State for Immigration Caroline Nokes.
During the meeting, the minister specifically raised the problems being faced by Pakistani students and business people in getting British visas.
Caroline Nokes assured the minister that she would look into the matter and all possible facilitation would be extended to the Pakistani students and business people.
The two sides agreed that in order to enhance people to people and business to business linkages, visa bottlenecks would be removed.
The interior minister also met with the Economic Secretary to the Treasury John Glen, and held a detailed discussion on bilateral cooperation in areas of economy and finance.
