British Prime Minister Gordon Brown on Thursday announced a time line for withdrawal of Nato forces from Afghanistan saying that allied forces will gear up their efforts to strengthen the Afghanistan Army and police to enable them to take control of most parts of the country.
"By the end of 2010 we will hand over the control of various Afghan provinces and districts. The handing over of control will be a gradual process and step by step provinces will be handed over to Afghan forces," Brown said while addressing a press conference after his breakfast meeting with Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, at 10 Downing Street.
The meeting between the two leaders came days after British premier publicly questioned Islamabad's record on fighting terrorism and demanded that Pakistan do more to find al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden and his senior commanders. However, he avoided repeating his call during the joint press conference with Gilani.
Before the press conference, the two prime ministers along with their delegations held an hour long meeting in which they discussed a wide range of issues including deployment of additional British troops in Afghanistan, war against terror and Britain's assistance to Pakistan in different sectors.
Brown pledged 50 million pounds to help Pakistan achieve long-term stabilisation, reconstruction and development of north-western areas bordering Afghanistan. He said Britain will also provide 120 million pounds in terms of budgetary support to Pakistan. The money would go into Pakistan's programme to help re-establish its control over the chaotic border region, which Brown identified as the source of three-quarters of the terrorist plots that have targeted Britain since 2001.
"We will continue to support Pakistan in its war against terrorism as it is not only your fight but it is also Britain's fight and we will assist you to gain success on this front and eliminate terrorism and extremism," he said, adding that Britain would support reconstruction, education and the relocation of people displaced by military operation in Malakand Division and now in South Waziristan Agency (SWA).
Brown praised Pakistan's efforts to counter the Taliban insurgency and acknowledged the sacrifices made by the country in fighting extremism. He said Pakistan's actions in Swat and Malakand had been a success and the military offensive launched in South Waziristan will also be successful and help in abolishing terror dens in the region. "We want to work together in fighting terrorism and to root it out."
Brown termed his country a friend of Pakistan, saying that it will continue its assistance for the development of various sectors of the war-torn nation. "We appreciate Pakistan's role in it and I also condoled with Prime Minister Gilani on the loss of lives the Pakistani forces and the nation are offering in this war," Brown said. He said his government is working for strengthening ties between Pakistan and other EU countries, adding that the international community praises Pakistan's efforts to eradicate militancy from its soil.
Gilani called upon his British counterpart to support Pakistan in attaining GSP Plus status in European Union and facilitate free trade agreements (FTAs) with EU member countries. He said market access of Pakistani products in Europe will help in stabilising the economy and empowering the people.
Gilani said he discussed a variety of issues with his British counterpart including co-operation on terrorism, security situation of the region, new Afghan policy, Pakistan's offensive against militants in tribal areas, next meeting of Friends of Democratic Pakistan (FoDP) and access of Pakistani goods to European markets. To a question Gilani said Pakistan is looking for opportunities to broaden trade ties with Britain.
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