'Afghan Taliban comeback will be bad for Pakistan'

South Asian News Agency (SANA)

United Kingdom High Commissioner in Pakistan Adam Thompson has said that the return of Taliban in Afghanistan will be a bad news for Pakistan. He said that the point of view of UK on drone strikes clear, adding that this is matter between Pakistan and US and UK want to see good relations between Pakistan and US. In an interview with a private TV channel, Thompson said Afghan people had experienced Taliban atrocities in the past and if Taliban make a comeback there, it would be bad for them and for Pakistan as well. “Pakistan is a key partner in Afghanistan peace and we would like to contribute in a political settlement of Afghan issue in a positive way,” he said. To a question he said United States had its own stakes in the region and its own policies and priorities. Though we are allies but we have our own priorities, he added. Emphasizing the importance of peace and stability in Afghanistan he said Pakistan can play a key role in it. “We cannot claim to understand Afghans as closely as Pakistanis can,” he said, adding UK would love to contribute in the process of Afghan peace positively. He said UK forces will be withdrawn from Afghanistan in 2014. Dispelling the impression of UK involvement in Balochistan he said it was a fantasy. When asked some Baloch separatist leaders were living in UK and operating from there, he said all kinds of foreigners live in Britain and British government has nothing to do with their political affiliations. He categorically said that Britain would never like to harm Pakistan in any way. “Impression that UK is associated with Balochistan separatists is only a fantasy,” he said. Thompson said United Kingdom was helping Pakistan in various sectors. He strongly rejected the impression the UK was in anyway linked with Balochistan unrest. He said he always tried to convince the British community that Pakistan was not as scary a place as portrayed in the international media. Thomson said United Kingdom was helping Pakistan in education sector more than any other country, both on primary and higher education level. “We prefer Pakistan in education to any other state,” he said, adding there is research collaboration between UK and Pakistan universities.