Nawaz Sharif gets official protocol in London

LONDON: Pakistan Muslim League-N chief Nawaz Sharif was provided protocol by Pakistan High Commission as well as Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) during his last private trip to London.

Mr Shari and his wife Begum Kulsoom were received at the Heathrow Airport by Pakistan High Commissioner to the UK Wajid Shamusl Hasan and his wife Begum Zarina Wajid.

Nawaz Sharif had arrived in London from Geneva on Wednesday (March 13). He left for Pakistan on Monday via Dubai.

Geo News correspondent Murtaza Ali Shah said Mr Sharif finalized his plans to visit London only after it was confirmed that Britain’s foreign secretary and other Pakistan watchers at the FCO wanted to meet him exclusively.

Sharif and Hague held talks for an hour but both sides have kept this news a secret. A spokesman at the FCO confirmed that the meeting had taken place but refused to discuss the agenda of the meeting.

“We can confirm that the foreign secretary met Mr Sharif on Thursday (March 14).

It is routine for the foreign secretary to meet with leaders of political parties visiting London,” said the spokesman.

Whenever High Commission learnt of his visit he was extended full protocol, said a source in Pakistan High Commission when asked if Mr Sharif was provided protocol because of his high poll ratings, suggesting that he may be able to form the next government.