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Thursday, July 18, 2013
UK police, not govt, to decide on Altaf Hussain: Hague
UK offers Pakistan all help on energy, terror* Foreign secretary says his govt ready to provide Pakistan with
expertise to develop national strategy against terrorismBy Farooq Awan
ISLAMABAD: The United Kingdom on Wednesday announced to work in partnership with Pakistan for developing strategies to tackle the ‘critical’ challenges of terrorism and energy crisis.
British Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs William Hague told reporters at a press briefing along with Adviser to prime minister Sartaj Aziz at the Foreign Office that his country would extend all-out assistance to boost Pakistan’s economy and was ready to play a leading role in supporting Pakistan in its efforts to enhance growth, alleviate poverty and create jobs.
“British prime minister during his recent visit had said: ‘Friend of Pakistan is our friend.’ We believe close friendship will bring benefits to the people of both the countries,” Hague said and added that UK was more than willing to help Pakistan meet economic and social challenges.
The diplomat paid tribute to the Pakistani people for their ‘considerable’ sacrifices in the war against terrorism. “The people of Pakistan have rejected terrorism and extremism,” he said and added that his country was ready to provide Pakistan with expertise to help it develop a national strategy against terrorism.
To a question about money laundering investigations against MQM chief Altaf Hussain, the British foreign secretary said it was a matter related to police. “Police is dealing with the issue and it will decide on it. Government has nothing to do with it.” Hague congratulated people of Pakistan and the Pakistani government on successful conduct of elections and smooth transition of power from one civilian government to the other. “We hope that democracy will further prosper in Pakistan. Pakistani people have given a clear message that they want continuity of democracy in the country,” he said.
On Afghan peace, the British diplomat said his country fully supported endeavours for peace in the troubled country. “We fully back an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned reconciliation process,” he said and added that good Pak-Afghan relations are key to security and peace in the South Asian region. To a question, the British foreign secretary clarified that the requirement for Pakistani visitors to carry 3,000 pounds was just a proposal. “Even if approved, it will only apply to the high-risk individuals,” he added.
Sartaj Aziz termed the meeting with British diplomat very “fruitful and productive”. He said Pakistan wanted to be a good development partner of the United Kingdom. The adviser said trade between the two countries had reached about $3 billion and they wanted to take it to $5 billion. He said Pakistan wanted inclusion in the GSP Plus to get more access to the European Union markets and expected UK’s strong support in this regard.
Aziz said Pakistan and UK will hold second round of strategic dialogue later this year. On Afghanistan, the adviser said he would be visiting Kabul this Saturday for talks. “My visit will lay the ground for President Karzai’s visit to Pakistan,” he hoped. To a question, Aziz said Pakistani government and security institutions had nothing to do with any Taliban movement to Syria. “Government is seriously looking into the reports,” he added.
On his candidature for presidential elections due in first week of August, Aziz said party leadership will decide about the candidate. Meanwhile, the British foreign secretary held a meeting with Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan and discussed scope of cooperation between the two countries on security front.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk