London: British Premier David Cameron`s
remarks in India about Pakistan`s alleged two-faced role on
terrorism will not affect the forthcoming visit of President
Asif Ali Zardari to Britain from August 3, officials here
said.
Cameron`s remarks during a question-answer session in
Bangalore sparked a furore in Pakistan, resulting in the
cancellation of the scheduled visit by ISI representatives,
and demands that Zardari also cancel the visit.
Pakistan High Commissioner Wajid Shamsul Hasan today
said the remarks were `hurtful` but would not affect the
Zardari visit.
He said while the ISI had been "singled out for
criticism", Zardari`s visit would continue, "as part of a
strategic dialogue... with various countries, especially with
Britain".
Cameron had said in Bangalore: "We cannot tolerate in
any sense the idea that this country (Pakistan) is allowed to
look both ways and is able, in any way, to promote the export
of terror, whether to India or whether to Afghanistan or
anywhere else in the world".
A spokesman for the UK Foreign Office said Pakistan
had made its position clear but relations between the two
countries were strong and they would continue to work
together.
Cameron`s spokeswoman said he had been talking about
Pakistan as a country, not its government.
She said that the main message was for Pakistan to
shut "terror groups" down.
Cameron`s comments were also criticised by former
foreign secretary David Miliband.
PTI
