Zardari flip-flop, to go ahead with UK visit despite Cameron tongue-lashing

Islamabad, July 31(ANI): Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari has not cancelled his visit to the United Kingdom, as was being speculated following British Prime Minister David Cameron's hostile remarks against Pakistan.

The Foreign Office's failure to announce Zardari's UK visit along with his visit to France had fuelled speculations that the visit might be cancelled.

Zardari will now be on a back-to-back trip, with his three-day visit to France, starting on August 1, followed by a five-day trip to UK.

According to a press release issued by the Pakistan High Commission in London, during his visit, Zardari will meet Cameron at his country residence in Chequers, on the outskirts of London, on August 6.

He will also meet newly elected Pakistani origin members of the UK Parliament.

On August 7, he will address the Pakistani community at Birmingham's International Conference Centre.

Earlier, on Thursday, Cameron had defended his comments on Pakistan, and said: "I think it's important, as I say, to speak frankly about these things to countries that are your friends."

When asked whether he regretted damaging relations with Pakistan ahead of Zardari's visit, he said: "I don't accept that they have been damaged... I look forward to discussing these and other issues (with Zardari)." (ANI)