Gilani to use private UK visit for official business too

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani will take up the question of further enhancing intelligence sharing mechanism with the United Kingdom to combat militancy and eradicate terrorism during his interaction with British leaders in London this week.
He is leaving Islamabad for London this (Monday) morning by a commercial flight as an ordinary passenger with minimum personal staff. He will be attending the graduation passing out ceremony of his son Ali Qasim Gilani in London who has passed the examination with distinction. The prime minister accepted the invitation for participation in the function and accordingly he is proceeding for it.
A number of meetings have been scheduled with senior leaders and officials of the British government during his five-day stay in the capital. Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani has agreed to spare time for official business and he will be receiving deputy prime minister of the host country Nick Clegg who is also leader of the Liberal Democrats in the British Parliament. The subjects pertaining to bilateral ties between Pakistan and the United Kingdom, the role of Pakistani-origin British citizens in Pakistan and their positive contribution and operation against terrorism would come up for discussion. The prime minister will discuss various aspects of Pakistan-UK ties and he will highlight the historical equation of the two friendly countries and underscore the need to enhance the multifaceted strategic partnership. He will remind the host leadership that Pakistan is moving forward in the ongoing war on terrorism despite the heavy toll of life and material losses. He will urge for greater international support to Pakistan in capacity building and overcoming the adverse effects of war on the economy of Pakistan.
Pakistan has always stood for peace in the region and it has always supported effort in this regard. Prime Minister Gilani will remind his interlocutors this role of Pakistan and he will emphasise the need for further bigger efforts to check the menace of drug trafficking as drug money is an important source of funds for militants. For the reason Pakistan has always called upon international community to make concerted efforts to end drug trafficking. This is critical for durable peace, stability and socio-economic development of the region. An integrated approach towards creating opportunities for alternative livelihood, facilitating agricultural development, eradicating and reducing drug consumption to combat the menace is essential. Gilani will remind the British leader that Pakistan’s economy has suffered heavily due to the so-called war on terror. Shrinking economic opportunities have made the youth vulnerable to falling into the trap of militants.
British Foreign Minister William Hague will also call on Prime Minister Gilani who is also retaining the portfolio of Foreign Affairs. Some other leaders will also meet the prime minister of Pakistan, the sources said.
Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Chairman of the ruling PPP will join the family dinner as Gilani’s guest who is the senior vice chairman of the party. Both will discuss the political situation back in the country.
Gilani’s meeting with the community leaders and dinner to be hosted by the Pakistan-UK chamber of commerce and industry would be his important engagements in London.
The sources hinted that a meeting between visiting Prime Minister Gilani and MQM leader Altaf Hussain is also on the cards. A tangible thaw in the relations of the ruling PPP and MQM during the stay of Gilani in London could not be ruled out. The PPP is hopeful of MQM’s rejoining the incumbent government, both in centre and Sindh, the sources added.
Prime Minister Gilani will return home in the wee hours of Friday next and he is likely to address the National Assembly the same morning that will be meeting on the joint requisition of PML-N and the MQM, two parties in the opposition.