UK recognises Pak sacrifices in war against terrorism: Miliband

MULTAN, July 8: British foreign secretary David Miliband said here Wednesday that the United Kingdom fully recognises Pakistan’s immense sacrifices in war against terrorism and is playing its big role in strengthening its economy and mitigating its hardships.Addressing a joint press conference with his Pakistani counterpart Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi he said that the UK and the European Union eulogise the unison in Pakistan’s civilian and military leadership besides political parties in the war against terrorism.

To a question about the economic assistance for the relief and rehabilitation of internally displaced persons (IDPs) as a result of military operation against terrorists he said Britain and EU have enhanced their commitment to help Pakistan to overcome the problem.

To another question the British foreign secretary said that although more and more help will be proffered to Pakistan it has to mainly depend on its own resources and tap its potential to the optimum level.

David Miliband, to another question, said that free trade access might be given to Pakistan as it has been seeking but it would be a big challenge for it too.

Responding to questions on Kashmir and water dispute he said that India and Pakistan are sovereign countries and they can discuss these issues out.

To another question about writing off loans he said that the world is undergoing economic recession. He said the IMF has praised Pakistan’s economic performance and has pledged more aid.

Responding to another question about purported recovery of US and Indian arms from Taliban he said an arms trade treaty is under consideration so that the weapons are not pilfered to terrorists.

To a question Miliband said that the UK firmly believes in democracy and would help Pakistan’s civilian government and would not support military rule here.

He said Pakistan and UK are big trade partners and his country would upgrade the relations for the benefit of the Pakistani nation.

About the drone planes he said Pakistan has already taken up the issue of transfer of drone technology with US.

Pakistan’s foreign minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi, on the occasion, said that he raised the issue with the Indian and NATO leadership and it is hoped that the problem would be sorted out.

He said President Zardari and Indian premier Manmohan Singh had one-on-one meeting on the sidelines of the Shanghai Economic Summit meeting and agreed to resume the composite dialogue suspended following the Mumbai attacks.

Shah Mahmood Qureshi said the idea behind inviting Miliband to Multan, the oldest living city of the world, was to make him see the real Pakistan.

He said Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani and his Indian counterpart would hold talks at Sharm Al-Sheikh at the Non-Alignment Movement summit on July 16 and it is hoped that the dialogue process would advance further.

He said he had held talks with his counterparts at G-8 meeting in Italy and had apprised them about Pakistan’s huge losses on account of war against terrorists and more aid was committed as its result.

Shah Mahmood Qureshi said that on account of the ongoing war against terrorism the Pak economy is in the woods as $8.5 billion loss per annum is being borne by it.

He said almost 50 per cent of our resources are eaten up by our foreign debt repayments every year. He said it would be Pakistan’s real help if its loans are written off.

He said although during the Musharraf regime repayment of some foreign debts were deferred or rescheduled this breathing space was not properly utilised and exploited.

The foreign minister said that the world has now realised that relations should be developed on people-to-people basis and not on government-to-government basis.

Later, president Multan Press Club (MPC) Shakil Anjum and general secretary Jamshed Rizwani gave away MPC’s souvenirs to David Miliband, the British foreign secretary.  (APP)