London, Oct 19 (TNS): Former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has agreed to give a lecture on UK-Pakistan relations at the British parliament, Britain’s trade envoy to Pakistan and Conservative Member of Parliament (MP) Rehman Chishti said.
The Tory MP from Gillingham and Rainham said after holding 60-minute talks with Sharif in London that he met him to discuss various issues including looking at strengthening the UK-Pakistan relations, covering trade security and supporting democratic institutions, according to a report.
He said Britain strongly supported the democratic journey of Pakistan and has been providing support too.
The MP said he invited the former premier to give a lecture in Parliament on UK-Pakistan relations which he has accepted. He, however, said that a date for the lecture will be fixed later.
A Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader said that the meeting was held to discuss matters of mutual interest in the light of Chishti’s forthcoming visit to Pakistan. He said Chishti showed his keen interest in developing better trade relations between the two countries for which Sharif offered his full support.
Chishti was appointed as adviser to Prime Minister Theresa May last month for promotion of trade relations between the UK and Pakistan.
Greg Hands, Conservative MP for Chelsea & Fulham and Minister of State for International Trade and Londo, said in a statement that Chishti has been made UK government’s trade envoy because of his immense knowledge of Pakistan.
Chishti, who traces his roots to Muzaffarabad in Azad Kashmir where he was born, enjoys close relations with children of slain Benazir Bhutto. He served as adviser to former prime minister Benazir Bhutto and worked closely with her on several issues while she was in exile.
