Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg meets Prime Minister of Pakistan
The Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg, met Nawaz Sharif, the Prime Minister of Pakistan.
Prime Minister Sharif鈥檚 visit reaffirmed the growing partnership and friendship between the United Kingdom and Pakistan.
The Deputy Prime Minister welcomed the joint Cultural and Education Roadmap, which set out the ambition for the wide-ranging bilateral links between the United Kingdom and Pakistan. In particular, the Deputy Prime Minister welcomed the substantial progress that had been made on girls鈥� education in the Punjab region of the country, supported by the UK government. They discussed how they could further extend this work into more provinces.
On the economy, the Deputy Prime Minister encouraged Prime Minister Sharif鈥檚 efforts to drive economic reform within Pakistan, which could create a much more stable business environment. The Deputy Prime Minister also welcomed Pakistan鈥檚 strengthening trade links with the EU through the country鈥檚 attainment of the 鈥楪eneralised Scheme of Preferences鈥� Plus (GSP+) trade agreement. They agreed on the need for continued progress on human rights issues in Pakistan, one of the conditions of the GSP+.
On energy, Prime Minister Sharif set out his commitment to improving Pakistan鈥檚 energy issues and welcomed the government鈥檚 offer of a UK-Pakistan energy dialogue.
On security, the Deputy Prime Minister welcomed Prime Minister Sharif鈥檚 commitment to tackle extremism in Pakistan. They also agreed on the importance of supporting the new government in Afghanistan.