British Foreign Secretary William Hague on Wednesday promised United Kingdom's firm support to Pakistan in meeting its economic and security challenges, besides deepening the long-term and strategic relations with Pakistan. The British Foreign Secretary arrived in Pakistan on Wednesday as a follow up of British Prime Minister David Cameron's commitment to build a strong bilateral relationship with Pakistan.
Speaking at a joint news conference along with Advisor to Prime Minister on National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz following their talks, Hague said that they had an 'excellent' discussion on host of issues and finding new ways and means to further strengthen bilateral relations, co-operation in trade and energy sectors along with promotion of health, education and cultural ties.
During the talks, the two leaders said, they have agreed to enhance co-operation in a number of areas including trade and counter terrorism measures. Regarding a question about Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain, the British Foreign Secretary declined to comment on the issue, saying that British government's stance is clear that it is a matter of police and the government does not interfere in such cases.
"These are matters related to police...the operational decisions of the police of our crown prosecution service are entirely separated from political decisions and government. Any allegations of criminality or wrongdoing should be referred to the police and it is their job to pursue those [matters] and taking any decision is up to them," he declared.
In his opening statement, Hague pointed out that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has an ambitious plan of enhancing growth‚ creating jobs and alleviating poverty and his country would continue to play a leading role in supporting Pakistan in the endeavour. Referring to Prime Minister Cameron recent visit, he said British Prime Minister during his visit clearly declared that "friend of Pakistan is our friend."
He said that there were many areas of co-operation between the two countries especially in energy‚ trade and commerce. Hague acknowledged the sacrifices made by Pakistani people in the war against terrorism‚ saying that they continue to reject terrorist violence and intimidation. He said that United Kingdom would work in partnership with Pakistan providing expertise‚ and support to Pakistan in developing counter terrorism strategy.
Congratulating the Pakistani government and people of Pakistan on smooth transfer of power and successful conduct of elections‚ he hoped that democracy would further strengthen and prosper in Pakistan. About Afghanistan‚ Hague said that good relations with Pakistan's neighbour were significant to security, adding that a peaceful Afghanistan is in the best interest of Pakistan.
He said that UK and Pakistan agree on importance of peace‚ stability and security in Afghanistan and support Afghan-led and Afghan-owned reconciliation process. To a question, the British Foreign Secretary said the requirement of Pakistani visitors to UK to carry 3,000 pounds was just an idea but even if approved it would not be for ordinary visitors.
To another query regarding supply of arms to Syrian rebels, he said that they had not taken decision to arm any of the group in Syria, adding that they were trying to find political solution to the conflict. About relations between Pakistan and India, he said that it depends on the two governments in Islamabad and New Delhi to decide about their relations, however, he added that it was in the best interests of the people of the two countries to improve their bilateral relations.
Responding yet another query, he said that the UK was not exporting anything to Iran that comes under the UN and US sanctions. Speaking on the occasion, Sartaj Aziz said that Pakistan and UK enjoyed close relations and were good development partners, adding that the two countries want to expand the relationship further for the mutual benefit.
He said the two sides exchanged views on entire spectrum of bilateral relations with focus on economic and trade. He said that Pakistan-UK trade had reached about $3 billion and they have a target to take it to $5 billion by 2015. He lauded UK's investment in Pakistan and said. He appreciated the support of UK in Pakistan's quest for more access to EU market. He said Pakistan wanted inclusion in GSP Plus for the purpose and it welcomed UK's strong support in this regard.
Sartaj Aziz said that Pakistan and UK would hold second round of enhanced strategic dialogue later this year encompassing entire range of security‚ political and economic issues. About Afghanistan, Aziz said he would be visiting Kabul on Saturday for talks with Afghan leadership and hoped that his visit would pave way for President Karzai's visit to Pakistan.
Responding a question about the closure of Taliban's Doha office, he said that closure of Doha office by Taliban was a temporary phenomenon and hoped that it would be reopened when difficulties in respect of flag and name of the office were removed. He said that Pakistan supported Afghan-owned peace process and stability in Afghanistan was in its own interest.
Responding another query about reports of Pakistani Taliban moving to Syria, he said the facts to these reports were being looked into but declared that the government of Pakistan or its institutions had nothing to do even if such a movement has taken place. Responding yet another query about prospects of his candidature in the upcoming presidential elections‚ Aziz said that there were five or six candidates and it was prerogative of the party leadership to decide about the candidate.
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