ISLAMABAD, AUG 14(DNA) – British High Commissioner to Pakistan Philip Barton has said it is up to the British police to look into Altaf Hussain’s statements whether they are inflammatory or not and the British government has nothing to do with this issue.The British government is however fully aware of sentiments of Pakistani people because of Altaf Hussain’s statements, Philip Barton said while giving an interview to a private TV channel.
He further said he had a number of meetings with Pakistan interior minister Ch. Nisar Ali Khan however he will not share details of these bilateral meetings. He admitted to had met other high ranking Pakistani officials also on Altaf Hussain issue.
The British High Commissioner regarding PTI letter said, he did receive that letter because it was an open letter and he has passed contents of that letter to the authorities in Britain.
To a question about Altaf Hussain’s interrogation, the high commissioner said, these are police matters and our system is a bit different from that of Pakistan. As I said before, the British government has nothing to do with police-related matters and they are quite independent in their investigations.
To yet another question about youth of Pakistan he said young people of Pakistan are quite vibrant and have energy. I am quite optimistic about the youth of Pakistan and hope they can play their role in country’s development.
Philip Barton said, Britain is supporter of democracy in Pakistan. We believe the 2013 general elections reflect Pakistani people wishes. My view is that democracy is strengthening here in Pakistan and I do hope if this democratic process continues, the next elections shall be better than the previous ones.
“I have read some of the translations of Allam Iqbal, though it is sometimes challenging to understand Iqbal. He is like Shakespeare. I fully agree with the Allama Iqbal poem Hope and I am confident that future will bring peace and prosperity for Pakistan.=DNA
