ISLAMABAD : Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani, on Monday, has
said that the world should recognition of negative
impact of war against terror on the country’s economy and expressed the hope
that the international community would deliver on its pledges to help Pakistan
overcome its present difficulties.
Prime Minister Gilani was talking to Alstair Burt MP, UK Foreign and
Commonwealth Office Minister and Simson Fraser UK Foreign and Commonwealth
Office Permanent under Secretary who called on him at the PM’s House, said a
press release.
Prime Minister Gilani expressed his satisfaction that the Enhanced Strategic
Dialogue between Pakistan and UK has been launched during Prime Minister’s
Cameron’s visit to Islamabad last month.
He nevertheless called for early progress in the agreed fields under the
dialogue framework through institutionalization of cooperation by utilizing the
existing forum of bilateral consultation.
Prime Minister noted with appreciation UK Government and its civil society’s
assistance to Pakistan in the aftermath of earthquake of 2005 and last year’s
floods as well as for the rehabilitation of IDPs of Malakand and Swat. He hoped
that the Government of UK would remain engaged with Pakistan in the
rehabilitation and reconstruction phases in the flood affected areas.
He also expressed his government’s gratitude for UK’s enhanced economic
assistance to Pakistan particularly for its education sector which would enable
his government to arrange schooling of four million more children.
Referring to his conversation over phone with the Prime Minister David
Cameron yesterday and two weeks earlier, the Prime Minister underlined the
importance of contacts at the highest level and regular exchange of visits in
order for the two countries to be on the same page on the matters relating to
bilateral ties as well as on important issues like war against terror, peace and
stability in Afghanistan and regional situation.
Prime Minister Gilani reiterated his government’s commitment and resolves to
steadfastly pursue its campaign against terrorism and to support an Afghan owned
and Afghan led peace and reintegration process for restoration of peace in
Afghanistan.
The Prime Minister stated that his government was determined to follow
through with the economic reforms to ensure the macro economic stability in the
country. He, however, underlined the need for the world’s recognition of
negative impact of war against terror on Pakistan’s economy and hoped that the
international community would deliver on its pledges to help Pakistan overcome
its present difficulties.
Alstair Burt MP, UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office Minister stated that UK
had always been appreciative of Pakistan’s crucial role and had full recognition
of its un matched human and economic sacrifices in the war against terror. UK
was also sensitive towards the sentiments of the people in Pakistan in the
aftermath of Osama Bin Laden’s killing, he added.
He assured the Prime Minister that UK would continue using its influence with
the allied countries on the imperative of positive messaging about Pakistan at
this critical moment.
While acknowledging the fact that the success in war against terror and
restoration of peace and stability in Afghanistan could not be achieved without
Pakistan’s pivotal role, he said that UK would steadfastly standby Pakistan and
build consensus among the allies for extending complete support to Pakistan in
the war against terror.
He also assured the Prime Minister of his government’s determination to build
upon and expand bilateral relations in trade, economic, defence, education,
health and cultural fields as well as to advocate Pakistan’s causes in the
European Union.
Minister for Defence Ch Ahmad Mukhtar, Minister for Interior Senator A Rehman
Malik, Senator Syeda Sughra Imam, Secretaries Foreign Affairs, Defence, Interior
and other senior officers were also present in the meeting. SANA
