News
Wednesday, June 01, 2011
World needs to realise Pak efforts against terror: PM
* Gilani hopes UK will continue to support Pakistan’s case for EU’s GSP Plus facilities
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani said on Tuesday that the international community needs to realise and acknowledge the fact that Pakistan has rendered more sacrifices in the war against terror than any other country.
“There is a need of enhanced engagement and cooperation at all levels to root out the menace of terrorism,” Gilani told British Secretary of State for International Development Andrew Mitchell and other UK delegates who called on him on Tuesday.
The premier said that any unilateral action would undermine the government’s resolve, and exhorted the world to realise Pakistan’s efforts against terrorism. He also appreciated Britain’s support to Pakistan for wider market access in the European Union, saying, “The deep cooperation between both countries in diverse fields is a manifestation of the depth of bilateral relations.” He further said that both nations had the mutuality of views on many regional and international issues.
Gilani expressed the hope that the British leadership would continue to support Pakistan’s case for EU’s GSP Plus facilities, the passage of EU’s trade concession package in WTO as well as early commencement of negotiations for an EU-Pakistan free trade agreement. He said that Pakistan’s economic indicators were showing positive trend due to the government’s fiscal policies despite the last year’s devastating floods, energy crisis and the war on terror.
The government, said Gilani, was making all possible efforts and employing all resources to manage this problem in short and long terms. He also appreciated British Prime Minister David Cameron’s positive statement in the House of Common. He also lauded the British premier for his remarks made at a news conference along with US President Barack Obama on May 25 that “Pakistan has rendered more sacrifices in this war than the entire international community put together”.
The prime minister also apprised the dignitaries about Pakistan’s initiatives to improve relations with its neighbouring countries. British Secretary of State for International Development Andrew Mitchell appreciated the Pakistan government’s successful measures to navigate the country through economic difficulties. The top British diplomat held that the bonds between Britain and Pakistan were very strong. He assured the premier that the British government would continue to extend its support to Pakistan in the war against terror and help overcome economic difficulties.
Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar, British High Commissioner to Pakistan Adam Thomson, DFID Director for Western Asia and Stabalisation Moazzam Malik, DFID Pakistan head George Turkington, DFID Pakistan Programme Manager Margo Passmore, the British secretary’s special adviser Richard Parr and private secretary Mark Richardson attended the meeting. app
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk