Britain and Pakistan reiterated their commitment against terrorism with UK Premier Gordon Brown acknowledging the role of Pakistan in ont color='blue'>waront> on terror and the difficulties it was facing in counter-terrorism pursuits and put his country’s weight behind Islamabad to root out this menace.
These views were expressed in the joint press conference of Premier Gilani and his British counterpart Gordon Brown here at Prime Minister Secretariat on Monday evening.
British Premier also had a meeting with President Asif Ali Zardari in President House after the joint press conference where both the leaders discussed the issues pertaining to regional situation, militancy, Pakistan-UK bilateral relations and efforts of Pakistan to fight terrorism and extremism in the context of global scenario came under discussion.
In his opening remarks at the joint press conference British PM Gordon Brown acknowledged that Pakistan continued to face the brunt of extremism and terrorism, which was posing serious threat to “the fabric of our life style.”
“Both the countries are facing a common threat of terrorism and we know that Pakistan is even more committed to fighting this menace,” Gordon Brown said, adding Pakistan Government and its forces were taking firm action against the militants.
He said Britian and Pakistan had always enjoyed strong bilateral ties, which, he added, would grow stronger with time.
He said Britain was spending 10 million pounds to train Pakistani intelligence agencies on counter-terrorism. Pakistan aid for ont color='blue'>waront> on terror would be increased and UK would also extend helping hand to Pakistan for promotion of education in tribal areas, he added.
To a question, Gordon Brown said, “There are one million Pakistanis in Britain and that investigations are underway in connection with the detained students”.
Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said that Pakistani nation was united in the battle against terrorism.
“Britain and Pakistan will jointly fight the menace of terrorism,” he said.
PM Gilani said that Pakistan would continue to play its part toont color='blue'>waront>d stabilizing Afghanistan as it was not only in the interest of Pakistan but would also be vital for bringing peace and stability to the whole region.
To a question, he said nothing could be said about Usama Bin Laden’s staying alive or dead.
Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani reiterated Pakistan’s desire of good neighbourly relations with India and hoped that Indian leadership would reciprocate the gesture.
He said India should resume dialogue process with Pakistan for the mutual benefit of the two countries and to resolve all outstanding issues.
Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani said that he had taken up the issue of Pakistani students detained in UK and asked Premier Gordon Brown not to discontinue their studies.
“Yes, I had discussion with Prime Minister Brown and we discussed about the students. There are one million (Pakistani) people settled in UK and there are thousands of students including my two sons and a daughter,” Gilani added.
“We have also discussed whatever information (about the students) has been shared with us and we will examine it”, Gilani said in response to a question as to why the British authorities intend to deport the Pakistani students who were arrested and later released after they did not find any evidence against them.
In the meeting of British Prime Minister Gordon Brown with President Asif Ali Zardari at Awan-i-Sadr Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Minister for Interior Rehman Malik, Minister for Privatization Syed Naveed Qamar, Secretary General to the President Salman Farooqi, Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir, British High Commissioner in Islamabad Robert Brinkley and senior officials of British Foreign Office accompanying the British Prime Minister were also present. The President while appreciating the continuous British support for Pakistan in its fight against militancy and extremism, hoped that strengthening of economic relations between the two countries would help Pakistan overcome its socio-economic problems. The President emphasized on international community’s support to Pakistan in fighting militancy and extremism. The President said that the government possessed the will to fight militancy but there were areas where the capability needed to be strengthened and in this connection the international community could play a significant role.
President Asif Ali Zardari expressed concern over Pakistani students’ arrest in Britain and hoped that the students would be provided fair chance to defend the charges and allowed to complete their studies in UK.
Meanwhile, PML-N Quaid Mian Nawaz Sharif has told the British Prime Minister Gordon Brown that his party is against extremism and militancy and added that Pakistan’s current problem is the result of the military rule and denial of democratic rights to the people.
Talking to the visiting dignitary in a one-on-one meeting that lasted for forty minutes on Monday, Nawaz Sharif said, “The overwhelming majority of Pakistanis are opposed to extremism and militancy especially as there is no sanction for violence in Islam”, says a party handout.
Nawaz Sharif also urged Prime Minister Brown to use his good offices and influence in prevailing upon the US to stop forthwith drone strikes on Pakistan’s territory as it is provoking anti-US sentiments in Pakistan and would be counter-productive in the long-run.
The PML-N Quaid also urged the British Prime Minister not to permit the recent unfortunate incident relating Pakistani students in Britain to affect the excellent historical relations between the two countries. He hoped that the cases of these students would be judged on merit rather than on mere suspicion or on media speculations.
He thanked the British Prime Minister Gordon Brown for Britain’s friendship for Pakistan and in particular, its strong support on bilateral as well as multilateral issues especially in the context of Pakistan’s relationship with the European Union. During the course of their meeting that was held in ont color='blue'>waront>m and cordial atmosphere, the two leaders exchanged views on a number of issues of common interest to both countries.
The British Prime Minister spoke highly of the role of political parties especially PML-N in Pakistan in the restoration of democracy and the rule of law. In this context, he gave assurance that Britain would always extend its support and assistance to the people and government of Pakistan in their efforts to strengthen the institutions of democracy.
The British PM lauded the role and contribution of British citizens of Pakistani origin who have greatly enriched Britain by dint of their hard work, enterprising spirit and imagination.
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