Pakistan summons UK diplomat over terror row
Updated on 02 August 2010
Islamabad summons Britain's high commissioner for talks, as the diplomatic spat over David Cameron's critical comments threaten to overshadow a European visit by the Pakistan premier.
Adam Thomson was called to Islamabad to meet foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi amid efforts to prevent the row overshadowing a visit to the UK by Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari this week.
President Zardari began his European tour in France today where he is due to meet President Nicolas Sarkozy.
On a visit to India last week Prime Minister David Cameron sparked controversy with remarks in which he suggested elements in Pakistan were "looking both ways" on Islamist violence and "promoting the export of terror".
An effigy of Cameron was earlier burnt by protesters in the streets of Karachi and a visit to London by agents of Pakistan's intelligence agency was cancelled.
Senior figures, including Pakistan's Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani, voiced anger with Cameron, and the country's information minister said Zardari, who arrives in the UK tomorrow for a five-day visit, would correct the PM's "misperception" when they meet at his country retreat Chequers.
But Islamabad acted in advance of the meeting by summoning Britain's high commissioner.
A Downing Street spokeswoman said the high commissioner and Pakistan foreign minister had covered a "broad range of issues" during a talk this morning.
"They discussed a broad range of issues including preparations for President Zardari's visit," she said.
Asked if Cameron would be apologising for his previous remarks, the spokeswoman replied: "He stands by the comments he made."
The spokeswoman insisted the UK had "very good, strong relations" with Pakistan, and played down the burning of an effigy of Cameron in Karachi.
She added that Thomson had conveyed the PM's condolences over the floods that have killed over 1,000 people in Pakistan.
