Pak, UK mull ways to fight terror, quake rebuilding

VALLETTA—Pakistan and UK Friday pledged to bolster bilateral economic cooperation, carrying war against terror and joint struggle for establishment of regional and international peace.
The agreement reached in a meeting between Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz and Britain Prime Minister Tony Blair here at the residence of Britain high commissioner. Foreign Minister Khurshid Mahmood Kasuri, Interior Minister Aftab Ahmad Sherpao, Economic Advisor to the Prime Minister Dr. Salman Shah and Pakistan Ambassador to Britain Dr. Maliha Lodhi were also present on the occasion.
During their 30-minutes long meeting, both the leaders exchanged views on different issues including war against terrorism, Afghanistan, Iraq, and Kashmir situation and promotion of bilateral relations between Pakistan and Britain.
Later both the Prime Ministers addressed a joint press conference. While addressing a press conference, Britain Prime Minister Tony Blair termed the meeting with Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz as very useful saying he expressed sorrow over the loss of lives and property received to Pakistan by the recent earthquake.
He congratulated Pakistani people saying efforts of the Pakistani people, to defeat the calamity’s miseries, was commendable.
He said Britain would continue extending its generous aid for quake survivors on long term basis to help Pakistan in its efforts of reconstruction and rehabilitation process. “European union will also be mobilized in this regard”, he added. Tony Blair further said that he and Prime Minister Shaukat also discussed issues related to their bilateral interest. “We are both facing danger of terrorism. Pakistan and Britain are striving jointly to overcome the menace”, he resolved. He mentioned Kashmir, Afghanistan and Iraq situation also came under discussion. Britain prime Minister told India and Pakistan both could resolve the Kashmir dispute through negotiations. Recent confidence building measures have much improved bilateral relation between both the countries”, he described. Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz thanked Britain Prime Minister for their aid saying some 75 thousands people have been killed in the recent killer tremor and more deprived from homes.
Shaukat Said that democracy is strong in the country. “Press is enjoying full freedom in Pakistan. People have been empowered from the grass roots level through local government system he added. After six year, He said country’s participation in the commonwealth was a proof that democracy has established in Pakistan. Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said Pakistan is fighting war against terrorism. “World needed peace and Pakistan is closely working with England to bring peace to the world”, he added. He said Pakistan believed in international peace.“I apprised Prime Minister Tony Blair about the ongoing talks between Pakistan and India.
He held Pakistan wanted to resolve the Kashmir dispute according to the aspiration of the Kashmiri people. “Kashmir resolution will not only pave the way for enhancement of bilateral relation between India and Pakistan but durable peace will also be established in the region”, he commented. He held we also considered Iraq and Afghanistan situation in detail. He said common wealth plate form could assist the solution of different problems. He disclosed at least $6.2 billion aid have been ensured in the donor conference. He said Britain extended generous aid to Pakistan for quake survivors. However, he said that Pakistan would continue to urge upon international community to extend more aid for quake victims.—Agencies