News
Thursday, April 12, 2012
Zardari urges UK lawmakers of Pak origin to bolster ties* President says Pakistan needs greater market access, investment
Staff Report
ISLAMABAD: President Asif Zardari has said the United Kingdom (UK) parliamentarians of Pakistani origin could play an important role in not only further bolstering bilateral ties, but also help in dispelling misperceptions arising from unfortunate incidents.
The president was talking to UK Parliament member Barrister Rehman Chishti at the Presidency on Wednesday.
Chishti, a Conservative Party politician, was elected member of parliament for Gillingham and Rainham in 2010. He was born in Muzaffarabad. He has also served as special adviser to slain PPP chairwoman Benazir Bhutto.
Matters related to Pak-UK ties, the Enhanced Strategic Dialogue (ESD), role of Pakistani immigrants in the UK, war against terrorists and Pakistan’s efforts for a greater trade access to the European Union (EU) were discussed during the meeting.
The president said that one million Pakistanis in the UK – with seven in the House of Commons and four in the House of Lords – served as a strong bridge between the two countries. Zardari also said they could play their role in promoting and further strengthening the existing equation. He said that Pakistan considered the UK a close friend and it was important that the momentum generated as a result of the ESD should be sustained. He said, “Economic component of our relation – being the foremost part of ESD – holds fundamental importance. Economic stability is crucial for democratic Pakistan as we are passing through difficult times. We need greater market access and investment especially from our partners as our economy has received major jolts from the conflict in Afghanistan, scourge of terrorism and unprecedented natural calamities.” The president said that Pakistan was keen to increase bilateral trade to £2.5 billion by 2015. He requested Barrister Chishti to urge British investors and businessmen to take advantage of the investment-friendly policies of Pakistan. Zardari also said that it was encouraging that the World Trade Organisation had cleared the EU trade package for Pakistan. He said that Pakistan expected the UK to take a lead in completing the EU’s internal process.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk