Updated at: 1526 PST, Thursday, December 03, 2009
LONDON: Pakistan and England have vowed to jointly fight terrorism and enhance bilateral partnership for the cause.Addressing a joint press conference here Thursday following a meeting at No 10 Downing Street, the Prime Ministers of the two countries owned the war on terror and said that they have also agreed to enhance bilateral trade and partnership in other areas as well.British PM Gordon Brown termed his country “a friend of Pakistan”, saying that it will continue its assistance for the development of various sectors of the war-perished nation.He said that he appreciated Pakistan’s role and sacrifices in the terror war, adding that he realizes that the militancy has severely affected the country.“The war against terror is not only of Pakistan, but of Britain as well. We appreciated Pakistan’s role in it and I also condoled with PM Gilani on the loss of lives the Pakistani forces and the nation is offering in this war,” Brown said.Brown announced 50 million pounds for the development of northwestern areas of Pakistan bordering Afghanistan, adding that the Britain will also provide 120 million pounds in terms of budget support to its friendly country.Brown said the money would go into Pakistan's program to help re-establish its control over the chaotic border region, which he has identified as the source of three-quarters of the terrorist plots that have targeted Britain since 2001."I'm pleased today to confirm my offer of a further 50 million pounds to back your plans for long-term stabilization of the border areas," Brown told his Pakistani counterpart.Brown said that aid being provided by Britain would go into reconstruction, education and the relocation of people displaced in the fighting.British PM said that his government is working for strengthening ties between Pakistan and the other EU countries, adding that the international community praises Pakistan’s efforts to eradicate militancy from its soil.PM Gilani said he discussed variety of issues with his British counterpart including cooperation on terrorism, security situation of the region, new Afghan policy, Pakistan’s offensive against militants in tribal areas, next meeting of Friends of Democratic Pakistan (FoDP) and access of Pakistani goods to European markets.To a query Gilani said Pakistan is looking for the opportunities for broadening trade ties with Britain.He said U.S. leadership took Pakistan’s high-ups on board on new Afghan policy, adding that Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi will soon meet with his British counterpart over the issue.Gilani categorically denied the presence of al Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden in Pakistan, saying that no credible information is present in this regard.
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