News
Saturday, November 26, 2011
Pakistan, UK pledge to stamp out terrorism* Malik says Taliban move to end war voluntarily will be welcomed
* May acknowledges losses faced by Pakistan in war on terror
Staff Report
ISLAMABAD: British Home Secretary Theresa May said on Friday that the UK would cooperate with Pakistan in every way to fight and eradicate the menace of terrorism
She said this while visiting Police Line Headquarters along with Interior Minister Rehman Malik. They paid tribute to the sacrifices of martyred policemen and laid a floral wreath at the National Police Martyrs’ monument.
IGP Bani Amin Khan, DIG (Security) Ehsan Saidq, AIG (Operations) Sultan Azam Temuri, SSP (Headquarters) Zubair Ahmed Hashmi, SSP Muhammad Yousuf Malik, SSP (Traffic) Moeen Masood and other officials from Islamabad Police were also present on the occasion.
Interior Minister Rehman Malik thanked the visiting dignitary for this visit to the headquarters to recognise commendable services and sacrifices rendered by the police force while confronting terrorists.
Malik said that Pakistan had suffered a lot in the war against terrorism and expressed the determination of the government to fight against this menace till the death of the last terrorist.
He said that this was not only the war of Pakistan, but also of the international community and was being fought to make the world peaceful and secure. He also thanked the international community for extending technical and legal support to Pakistan.
He said that Pakistan and the UK shared a powerful interest in fighting extremism and terrorism that threatened people in both countries, as well as the whole world.
Theresa May said that the UK recognised that Pakistan had made greater sacrifices in fighting terrorism than any other country and she confirmed that the UK would stand with Pakistan to combat terrorism and extremism.
She also expressed sympathy with the families of those who had sacrificed their precious lives in the war against terrorism. Around 36,000 Pakistanis, including 3,500 policemen, have laid down their lives in the war against terror.
May said that the UK was investing in Pakistan’s future, not just its history, adding that the UK and Pakistan had a long history and strong cultural and family connections bound them together.
“We want to see Pakistan become more prosperous. We are serious about building a long-term partnership with Pakistan for generations ahead. We have consistently pledged our public support, regardless of the political backdrop. There is an unbreakable partnership - we now have to build on it,” she said.
She said that at the start of her second visit to Pakistan as home secretary, the ties between the two countries felt stronger than ever. She said that the lives of their citizens are connected through travel and trade, family and culture, adding that there was constant and meaningful contact between their governments, institutions and civil society organisations as well. This is the bedrock of our partnership, she said.
Replying to a question, she said that the UK would also support Pakistan in detecting Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and that in this regard Pakistan would be provided with equipment and technical assistance.
Rehman Malik said that Pakistan would not initiate a dialogue with the local Taliban unless they laid down their arms and gave up terrorism.
A move of the Taliban to end war voluntarily would be welcomed, Rehman Malik told the media.
Replying to a question about the activities of Hafiz Muhammad Saeed, he said that there was democracy in Pakistan and that the courts were free to decide independently, adding that Hafiz Saeed had been freed by the court.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk