Prime Minister Imran Khan’s visit to United Kingdom (UK) scheduled for July next month has reportedly postponed. No details have been provided regarding the deferment of prime minister’s visit.
According to sources, PM Imran Khan’s visit to UK has been postponed over disagreements between British and Pakistani governments as the prior refused to propose any substantive offers in response to Pakistan’s demands.
As per details, UK government had earlier proposed PM Imran Khan’s visit comprising of a cricket match between cricket teams of Pakistan and England. Following the match, PM Imran Khan will visit 10 Downing Street where he was due to be welcomed and hold formal talks with PM Boris Johnson.
However, Pakistan and expressed its desire for substantial agreements between the two sides and has opposed the idea of PM Imran Khan’s visit being limited to a mere cricket match.
Sources say that Pakistan had wished for a UK-Pakistan ‘Road Map’ for the next ten years aiming at deepening bilateral relationship with a focus on trade and defense.
It is to be noted that UK has recently signed such agreement with India.
Negotiations between Pakistan and UK regarding PM Imran Khan’s visit stretched for around for three weeks.
The Pakistani side also raised the issue of Nawaz Sharif stressing upon the possibility of his extradition as the former prime minister is an absconder and is currently residing in UK.
The refusal of British government to the proposed ‘road map’ and to entertain, facilitate Pakistan regarding Nawaz Sharif led to the postponement of PM Imran Khan’s visit.
Pakistan has maintained that there is no purpose of the visit during the pandemic involving all the hassle if there are no group level discussions and no agreements signed.
