Pakistan playing
key role in war against terror: Browne
LONDON: The
British Defence Secretary Des Browne has underlined the importance of Pakistan’s
role in the war against terror and said its assistance was crucial to winning
this campaign.
Speaking as the guest of honour at
the 55th annual dinner of The Pakistan Society at the Lincoln’s
Inn on Tuesday night, he recalled his
recent visit to the South Asian country and said he held constructive
meetings with the Defence Minister Chaudhry Ahmad Mukhtar, Foreign
Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and the Chief of Army Staff General Pervez Ashfaq
Kiyani.
He spoke of the serious challenge
in Afghanistan
and noted ISAFâ’s progress in the landlocked
country and said that international community has helped to make significant progress
in various sectors including education where the number of school going
children has gone up significantly.
The Defence Secretary said good
relations between Pakistan
and Afghanistan
could only guarantee effective results against war on terror and ensure peace and stability in the region.
He said both British and Pakistani
soldiers have lost their lives in defending freedom and emancipation. He
said UK was indebted to
Pakistan
for hosting millions of Afghan refugees and was now contributing to the
development and progress of its western neighbour.
The Defence Secretary also
appreciated steps Pakistan
has taken to eradicate extremism from the society and said UK on
its part was doing its best to deal with radicalisation.
Browne also mentioned historic
military ties between the two countries and said these were deep and
substantial. He said British-Pakistanis have made significant
contributions to the British society and this regard mentioned the names of
business tycoon Sir Anwar Pervez, boxer Amir Khan and MP Mohammad Sarwar.
The Defence Secretary reiterated
British Government support for the democracy in Pakistan and said it would continue
to encourage consolidation of democratic institutions.
Speaking about the growing trade
and commercial ties between the two countries, he said the volume of trade was
in the region of one billion pounds and was bound to grow further.
He said presence of over 200
Pakistani-heritage councillors in the local councils across the length and
breadth of UK
show the contribution being made by them in the British political system.
Browne welcomed the return of
Wajid Shamsul Hasan as the new Pakistan High Commissioner to the UK and
expressed hope that the ties between the two countries would continue to
flourish and progress under him
Courtesy: APP
25 June 2008
