No political prisoner now: Gilani

By: Asif Mehmood | Published: December 03, 2009

LONDON - Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, who arrived in London from Germany on Wednesday on a two-day state visit to Britain, said his visit to Berlin and Frankfurt was very fruitful, as he had meetings with the German leaders including President Horst Koehler and Chancellor Angela Merkel.
Talking to The Nation and Nawa-i-Waqt in the Royal Suite of Heathrow Airport, Premier Gilani said he had made it clear on German leaders that Pakistan, being a frontline state in the war on terror and had sacrificed more than any other country.
Answering a question about UK Premier Garden Brown’s insisting on Pakistan to ‘do more’ in spite of all the sacrifices rendered by Pakistan in the war on terror against Al-Qaeda, PM Gilani said he would convey his reservations on the matter during his meeting with his British counterpart today (Thursday). None should have any doubt about the role of Pakistan in the war on terror, he added.
Earlier, when Gilani accompanied by his wife Fauzia Gilani landed at the Heathrow Airport on Wednesday, he was received by Pakistani Ambassador to Britain Wajid Shamsul Hasan and his wife Zarina Wajid, Prime Minister’s son Qasim Gilani, his cousin Haider Gilani and People’s Youth Organisation UK President Shahzad Kazmi. The UK government was represented by Andrew Patrick, the head of Asia Department in the Foreign Office.
VIP Suite at the Heathrow Airport was put under tight security while armed personnel of the London police kept patrolling the runaway. The visiting Prime Minister was shifted to Churchill Hotel under strict security cover. His motorcade included six armed motorcyclists and eight security vehicles. Gilani was given unprecedented security.
Prime Minister Gilani had meetings with different delegations after reaching Churchill Hotel. Gilani PM is also scheduled to meet Brown at 10 Downing Street, after which both the premiers would address a joint Press conference.

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