British-Pakistanis can play vital role in mainstream politics: Zardari

President Asif Ali Zardari on Thursday said the British Pakistanis could play more effective role in bringing the two countries closer by joining the mainstream politics and having a greater say in its domestic and international policies. Talking to Nick Clegg, leader of the Liberal Democrats, that has promised to pitch seven candidates of Pakistani origin in the next general election, here at his hotel.
The President said with greater representation, around one million Pakistanis in Britain will have a stronger voice in the British affairs and be able to influence its domestic and international policies that impact Pakistan. He said Pakistan and the United Kingdom are close friends and allies against extremism, militancy and terrorism and with greater collaboration can tackle the challenges that confront them.
President Zardari also noted that a large number of Pakistani-origin people have been elected as councillors, mayors and deputy mayors in the local government, besides getting due representation at the House of Commons and House of Lords. The President said the initiative by the Liberal Democrat party to allocate seats would further integrate the Pakistani Diaspora into the mainstream politics in Britain.
The President who is here on a three-day working visit apprised the Liberal Democrat leader about the serious challenges the country was facing and the government's strategy to confront these.
He said it was vital that the Pakistanis based in Britain realise their key role and work for projecting a positive image of the country. He said it was important that the Pakistani-origin British understand the real issues confronting Pakistan and also join hands to help it confront poverty, illiteracy, unemployment and health related issues that are the breeding grounds for extremism.
The President who will be meeting Prime Minister Gordon Brown on Friday appreciated the role of the United Kingdom at the Friends of Democratic Pakistan forum and hoped that the forthcoming meeting in New York on September 23 will come up with a Marshal Plan type strategy to help it cope with its challenges. The President also apprised Clegg about Pakistan's ties with all its neighbours and its endeavours to have peaceful, friendly and productive relations.
He hoped that the Liberal Democrats party would play its part in facilitating Pakistan's desire for a stronger partnership with European Union and ensure greater trade and market access in the EU market. President Zardari was accompanied by Interior Minister Rehman Malik and Chairman National Reconstruction Bureau Dr Asim Hussain, while Clegg was accompanied by Shadow Foreign Secretary Edward Davis and a Pakistani origin candidate Qasim Afzal.