Jacqui Smith lauds UK-Pak co-operation in various fields

 

LONDON: British Home Secretary Jacqui Smith acknowledging the deep co-operation with Pakistan regarding the common challenges facing the two countries has said both will continue to boost and strength their ties.

 

Speaking at the Pakistan Day reception hosted by the Pakistan High Commissioner to the UK Wajid Shamsul Hasan here last night, she expressed her appreciation over the existence of strong and historical links between two countries.

 

“The UK and Pakistan have a strong working relationship based on trust, co-operation and the sense of purpose,” she said.

 

She mentioned the two countries common and shared interest in countering terrorism and described Monday’s bombing of Islamabad Police Station as “a terrible attack on Pakistan democracy and the shared values of the two countries.”

 

Smith said the Pakistani community living in Britain has contributed much to the UK business, its industry, politics and culture and it continues to do so.

 

“Individuals, families and communities have thrived and prospered on the back of our history, helping not only Britain but also helping to reinforce strong links we enjoy across the continent.”

 

She said this excellent relationship was evident when she visited Pakistan last April and also looks forward to another visit later this year.

 

The visiting Pakistan Commerce Minister Makhdoom Amin Fahim who was other main speaker of the event said the democratically elected Government in Pakistan under the leadership of President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani, has been actively engaged in strengthening the democratic institutions in the country.

 

All stakeholders in the country are committed to ensuring the success and sustainability of the democratic process in the country, which was recently demonstrated during lawyers’ agitation.

 

He said Pakistan is today a vibrant and functioning democracy with a free media and a dynamic civil society. “The will of the people, resilience of its institutions and the commitment of our leadership to address the challenges should not be underestimated.”  

 

The Makhdoom said country has embarked on the road to achieving the ideals of democracy envisioned by the founding father Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.

 

The Minister expressed determination of the government to tackle the challenges of extremism and terrorism with full vigour and conviction.

 

“There is ‘zero tolerance’ for terrorism in all its forms.  The people of Pakistan have made, and are making tremendous sacrifices in this fight and are determined to see the return of peace, stability and prosperity in the region.”

 

He expressed gratitude for the UK’s continued support and assistance to Pakistan in countering extremism and terrorism and said the leaderships in both the countries are strongly committed to working together against the common challenges posed by terrorism.

 

“We are in the process of strengthening the mechanism of the Joint Working Group on Counterterrorism,” he said adding that coming months would witness further deepening of the ongoing cooperation in fighting the twin scourges of extremism and terrorism.

 

On the economic side, Makhdoom Amin Fahim said Britain is among Pakistan’s top five trading partners and top five investors in Pakistan. The presence of around one million Britons of Pakistani heritage has made this relationship even deeper and stronger. He also appreciated Britain’s continued development assistance to Pakistan. 

 

The senior Federal Minister said despite challenges, Pakistan economy is resilient and the fundamentals strong. “We have a large and talented workforce. The country has vast resources waiting to be fully tapped by the prospective international investors.”

 

Pakistan, he added, offers attractive opportunities and a level playing field to both domestic and foreign investors. He urged friends of democratic Pakistan to step up their investments in Pakistan as well as enhance exports of Pakistan to the European Union countries.

 

He was hopeful that Britain would continue to assist his country in democratic and economic consolidation.

 

The High Commissioner said the new democratic Government in Pakistan was endeavouring to re-build the country according to the vision of Jinnah which was secular, democratic and pluralistic.

 

The Federal Minister conferred Sitara-e-Imtiaz on the behalf of President of Pakistan to Prof. David Mathews of the School of Oriental and Africa Studies (SOAS) in recognition of his services in the field of literature.

 

Prof. Mathews, a fluent speaker of Urdu and Nepalese, has been teaching in SOAS for over 30 years. Speaking in impeccable Urdu, he recounted his experiences in Pakistan.

 

Similar award was also conferred on short story writer and columnist Maqsood Elahi Sheikh in recognition of his services to community and literature. Sheikh had the honour of being the first Pakistani Justice of Peace in the northern city of Bradford in 1970.

 

The reception was also attended by Federal Overseas Pakistanis Minister Dr. Farooq Sattar, Petroleum Advisor Dr. Asim Hussain, Speaker, Sindh Assembly Nisar Khuro, British Social Cohesion Minister Sadiq Khan, Baroness Sayida Warsi, MP Muhammad Sarwar, Lord Nazir Ahmed, Sanam Bhutto, members of UK-based Pakistani Diaspora and the diplomatic community as well as British Parliamentarians.

 

Begum Zarina Wajid presented Jacqui Smith with a traditional Pakistani gift.

 

 

APP - March 24, 2009