London:
After visiting France, Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari is on a six-day visit to the UK.
During his visit, Zardari met the new British PM David Cameron for the first time. Zardari's meeting with Cameron assumes significance in the wake of the British Premier's warning to Pakistan that it should sever ties with organisations that "export terror" to India and Afghanistan.
Taking strong exception to the statement, Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi had summoned British High Commissioner to Pakistan on Monday and expressed his country's sentiments on Cameron's comments.
However, his visit has provoked anger and criticism that he is on a European trip at a time when Pakistan reels under the worst floods in almost a century.
The British press has been unequivocal in its criticism that Zardari's being abroad at a time when the floods in Pakistan have claimed more than 1500 lives indicated callousness and insensitivity.
Some Pakistani origin British parliamentarians turned down an invitation from the President in protest.
"Honestly, not the best time to come but now that he is here need to make sure victims get the best," said Shahid malik, former Government Minister.
"It's not a snub. We had known a lot of them were not coming," added Wajid Shamsul Hassan, Pakistani High Commissioner.
Zardari will wrap up his visit with a public rally that he will address jointly with his son Bilawal Zardari Bhutto in Birmingham.
Many critics are saying that Zardari's visit is a smokescreen to promote his son's leadership in the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) consolidating the support of the British Pakistanis.
During his visit, Zardari met the new British PM David Cameron for the first time. Zardari's meeting with Cameron assumes significance in the wake of the British Premier's warning to Pakistan that it should sever ties with organisations that "export terror" to India and Afghanistan.
Taking strong exception to the statement, Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi had summoned British High Commissioner to Pakistan on Monday and expressed his country's sentiments on Cameron's comments.
However, his visit has provoked anger and criticism that he is on a European trip at a time when Pakistan reels under the worst floods in almost a century.
The British press has been unequivocal in its criticism that Zardari's being abroad at a time when the floods in Pakistan have claimed more than 1500 lives indicated callousness and insensitivity.
Some Pakistani origin British parliamentarians turned down an invitation from the President in protest.
"Honestly, not the best time to come but now that he is here need to make sure victims get the best," said Shahid malik, former Government Minister.
"It's not a snub. We had known a lot of them were not coming," added Wajid Shamsul Hassan, Pakistani High Commissioner.
Zardari will wrap up his visit with a public rally that he will address jointly with his son Bilawal Zardari Bhutto in Birmingham.
Many critics are saying that Zardari's visit is a smokescreen to promote his son's leadership in the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) consolidating the support of the British Pakistanis.
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