British Prime Minister Gordon Brown on Saturday night telephoned President Asif Ali Zardari. Spokesperson to the President and former Senator Farhatullah Babar said that matters relating to bilateral relations between the two countries, Pakistan's fight against extremism and militancy, rehabilitation of IDPs as a result of Waziristan operation, access to Pakistani products in EU markets and the regional situation were discussed during the telephonic talk.
Gordon Brown appreciated the government's determinations to fight against the militants and lauded the success made so far. He said that Britain will continue to support Pakistan build its ravaged economy and in the rehabilitation of the displaced people. The President appreciated Britain development assistance of 665 million pounds over the next four years but also stressed the need for more trade and investment, which he said, would give the relationship a strong foundation.
The British Prime Minister reiterated British support to the government of Pakistan in the field of education as part of long-term commitment to help Pakistan fight the war against militancy. The President said that Pakistan look forward for the continued support of the British government to secure access of Pakistani goods into the EU markets and initiation of the process towards Free Trade Agreement (FTA) to help boost Pakistan's economy and generating employment opportunities as economic dividend to the people who have suffered vagaries of the war against militancy. The President also underlined the need for developing a roadmap to move forward the process of Pakistan- UK 'Strategic Dialogue'.-PR