Britain reiterates support to Pakistan

Islamabad, Jul 10: British Foreign Secretary David Miliband has reaffirmed his government’s continued support to Pakistan for helping the country overcome current challenges.

''The United Kingdom will stand by Pakistan through thick and thin to help it succeed against militancy,'' Mr Miliband said during his separate meetings with President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani here last evening.

Efforts for relief and rehabilitation of over two million people displaced by the two-month long military offensive in Swat and two other northwestern districts, and the means for the economic turnaround of the country were discussed during the meetings.

Mr Miliband, who arrived here three days ago on a fifth visit to Pakistan since assuming his office, assured of the UK’s complete support for the rehabilitation of the internally displaced persons (IDPs).

''The displaced people have rendered immense sacrifices in the war against terror and need more attention of the world,'' he said, while referring to his recent visit to an IDP camp.

Mr Zardari informed Mr Miliband that Pakistan’s economy had been badly damaged by the war against terror and emphasised the need for greater access for Pakistani products to markets in the US and European Union, in order to help the country meet the challenges of poverty and unemployment.

The British Foreign Secretary said he was aware of Islamabad’s genuine need for greater market access abroad, and assured Mr Zardari of his government’s complete support to Pakistan in getting the Generalised System of Preference Plus arrangement from the EU.

Mr Miliband said he would also make efforts for initiating free trade agreement negotiations for Pakistan.

Mr Gilani underlined the need for building the capacity of law enforcement agencies (LEAs) enabling them to effectively counter terrorism once the military withdrew from affected areas.

''International promises for the capacity building of LEAs are yet to be fulfilled,'' Mr Gilani told Mr Miliband.

However, the Prime Minister appreciated that a substantial portion of the assistance pledged by the UK to Pakistan for 2009-12 was meant for the education and health sectors.

UNI