News
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
UK to expedite visa issuance process for Pakistanis* British home secretary says Pakistan, UK face same threat of terrorism
* Two countries sign MoU to counter human trafficking
ISLAMABAD: The UK is expediting visa issuance process for Pakistanis, who would now get their visas in minimum possible time, British Home Secretary Theresa May said on Tuesday.
While, acknowledging efforts and sacrifices of Pakistan in the war against terrorism, the British home secretary said Pakistan had rendered greater sacrifices than any other country in the war against terrorism.
May said the biggest threat to national security in both Pakistan and UK was terrorism.
She made these comments, while addressing a joint press conference with Interior Minister Rehman Malik at the Interior Ministry. Malik personally received the visiting British home secretary, who is on her first official visit to the country.
May said the Pakistani government had taken effective measures to combat terrorism and UK Prime Minister David Cameron was firm to promote the strategic dialogue between the two nations, and a key part of that was to get most out of our security relationship, she said. “My visit has identified a number of opportunities to enhance counter-terrorism agenda and it was agreed in the meeting with Interior Minister Malik that a joint working group would be constituted to combat terrorism,” she added. May said that we had to make to make sure that action was taken against illegal immigrants, but we continue to enhance systems for those who are legally applying for visas.
The British home secretary said we are not only committed to promote bilateral ties with Pakistan, but also wish to extend cooperation in different sectors, adding that the UK government would provide 70 million pounds to Pakistan to create new job opportunities, women development, education and health sectors. Speaking on the occasion, Malik said the two sides signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to counter human trafficking. He said human trafficking had emerged as a great menace, and the Pakistani government had constituted a task force to curb it. Malik said Islamabad had requested London to deport Pakistanis illegally residing in the UK, adding that the government had also requested to share information of Pakistanis illegally residing in UK. staff report/agencies
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk