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Pakistan, still a key ally in war on terror: UK
LONDON: British Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Lord Howell of Guildford said that Pakistan remains an important partner in the fight against terrorism.Answering to a question by Lord Nazir Ahmed on government’s assessment of contribution made by Pakistan as front-line state, Lord Howell said: “The al-Qaeda core has been severely weakened over the last six months. It is important that the UK and Pakistan, together with other key international partners such as the United States, continue to work together to disrupt terrorist groups which threaten all our interests.”
House of Lords discussed Pakistan’s contributions and role in war against terror as Lord Howell clarified government’s position answering questions asked by Lords. Questions asked by Lords also covered Pakistan’s economical, social and security situation as well as possibility of postponing of Bonn meeting.
Lord Howell answering a question on if condolences on death of Pakistani soldiers were offered confirmed that British Foreign Secretary offered his deepest condolence to the Foreign Secretary of Pakistan while US has also regretted the incident.
Lord Nazir showed his concern on British aid for education in Pakistan could end up in private Swiss bank accounts, calling the ruling Pakistani elite as “Ali Baba and his 40 companions”.
Lord Howell assured that “all our aid is independently evaluated and scrutinised under our UK Aid Transparency Guarantee and that certainly applies to all aid to Pakistan as well”.
Lord Tariq Ahmad of Wimbledon sought government’s assurance on its commitment with Pakistan saying that “strategically, militarily and tactically on the ground Pakistan’s role will not be diminished and that it will continue to play an integrated role in the war against terror-not watching on the sidelines but being involved and engaged fully to prevent the kind of incidents that we saw recently with attacks on Pakistani forces within Pakistani sovereign territory”.
Lord Howell said full integration in counterterrorism is very much our purpose and we await an investigation of what on earth went wrong for this to have occurred. British government has counterterrorist discussions with Pakistan, although details cannot be revealed but we are determined to use its skills and intelligence availability in the united war against terror.
Lord Stirrup while sharing his concerns on effective governance, economic growth and employment in Pakistan and its impact on global security, asked government and international community to not allow its frustration over other issues, to divert it from strategic focus of economical growth and governance, in its engagement with Pakistan. Lord Howell said the government would totally agree with it.
Lord Avebury asked for the possibility of postponing Bonn meeting to allow Pakistan to participate and to extend its agenda to cover findings of Nato inquiry. Lord Howell while hoping that Pakistan will join the meeting, disagreed to postponement said that meeting is not organized by Nato or about Nato, rather its about whole future of Afghanistan.
Courtesy www.geo.tv