Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Zardari for further enhancing Pak-UK strategic ties

ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari on Tuesday urged the need for further enhancing strategic and co-operative ties between Pakistan and UK on shared interests and mutual respect.

He said that Britain and Pakistan needed to work closely to further enhance their partnership in diverse areas with a view to eliminate terrorism and promote peace and security of the region and the world.

The president expressed these views during the meeting with UK National Security Adviser Sir Peter Ricketts, who called on him at the Presidency on Tuesday night.

The UK National Security Adviser was accompanied with UK Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan Mark Sedwill and High Commissioner in Pakistan Adam Thomson.

From the Pakistani side, those who attended the meeting, included Defence Minister Chaudhry Ahmad Mukhtar, Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar and Spokesperson to the President Farhatullah Babar.

Briefing the media persons about the meeting, Farhatullah Babar said that matters relating to Pak-UK bilateral relations with focus on enhanced strategic dialogue, regional security situation, emerging situation in Afghanistan and the fight against terrorism were discussed during the meeting.

The president said that Pakistan believed that the National Security Dialogue with UK, comprising political, military and intelligence tracks, would lead to creating a better understanding in bringing about clarity on issues of global, regional peace and security.

Discussing Afghan situation, the president said that Pakistan, due to its geo-strategic location was a major stakeholder and regional player in promoting regional stability and peace.

He said that Pakistan had abiding interest in the peaceful, stable, secure and prosperous Afghanistan and would continue to support every effort of international community in this regard.

He said that any development in Afghanistan was directly impacting Pakistan, adding that Pakistan supported Afghan-led and Afghan owned reconciliation and peace process in Afghanistan.

The president while commenting on the fight against militancy said that no country had made greater contributions and sacrifices in fighting terrorism than Pakistan and added that the international community owed it to Pakistan and the region to acknowledge it and support Pakistan in its efforts.

Separately, also on Tuesday, while talking to a five-member UK delegation led by Sir Peter Ricketts at the Prime Minister House, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani reiterating support to Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace process, said that an independent, prosperous, stable and sovereign Afghanistan was in Pakistan’s interest. He, however, emphasised that Pakistan did not want an Afghan solution that could destabilise Pakistan, as was the case last time when three million Afghan refugees took shelter in Pakistan and are still reside there.

Gilani said Pakistan wants early return of the Afghan refugees with honour and dignity.

The prime minister said an Afghan delegation would visit Pakistan soon, adding that his government would extend full co-operation in the investigation of the gruesome murder of Professor Burhanuddin who was a great friend of Pakistan and said his murder was a setback to the peace process.

The meeting, part of the Enhanced Strategic Dialogue between Pakistan and the UK also discussed other components including counter-terrorism co-operation, trade and commerce relations, financial macro economic stabilization, development assistance and cultural co-operation.

Gilani recalled his meetings and joint press interaction with the British prime minister at the Commonwealth Summit in Perth along with Canadian prime minister, Australian and Nigerian president regarding polio eradication initiative.

Prime Minister Gilani appreciated the assistance of the UK particularly in the field of health and education that would go a long way to help Pakistan meet the Millennium Development Goals.

Gilani mentioned that the Council of Common Interests, representing all the provinces including Azad Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan, had passed a unanimous resolution on setting the national standards for education and enhancing budget for education.

He was appreciative of the British assistance in the development of the economy and said the UK was one of the biggest foreign investors in Pakistan and co-operation in various sectors of economy was progressing well.

The PM complimented the UK for generous financial assistance during the natural calamities this year, as well as in 2010 and in 2005.

Sir Peter Ricketts appreciated the role of Pakistan in the war on terror adding that economic stability was necessary to effectively work as a bulwark against the tide of terrorism. app

 

Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk

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