Britain’s Foreign Secretary David Miliband visits Pakistan

 

Britain’s Foreign Secretary David Miliband visited Pakistan on 16-17 January 2009. During his visit Secretary Miliband called on President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi and General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, Chief of the Army Staff. This is the third time Secretary Miliband has visited Pakistan in the last year which demonstrates the value Britain places on its relationship with Pakistan.

 

During his call on President Zardari, regional situation and bilateral ties came under discussion. The President also hosted dinner in his honour. In his meeting with Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, the latter reiterated Pakistan Government’s stance that Pakistan was serious to prosecute the suspects of Mumbai attacks in accordance with its law in a transparent and fair trial.

 

David Miliband also held a meeting with Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi. The two Foreign Ministers discussed bilateral relations, matters relating to the European Union, the Friends of Democratic Pakistan Forum, counter-terrorism, situation in Afghanistan, Pakistan’s relations with India and Israeli attacks on Gaza. Foreign Minister Qureshi also hosted a lunch for Foreign Minister Miliband and his delegation.

 

Secretary Miliband briefed Foreign Minister Qureshi on his visit to India.  Foreign Minister Qureshi appreciated balanced and rational statements made by Miliband during his interactions in India.

 

Foreign Minister Qureshi said Government of Pakistan will conduct a transparent inquiry into the Mumbai terrorist attacks, which will use the information provided by India as well as Pakistan’s own investigations, to establish legally tenable evidence to bring the perpetrators to justice. He said Pakistan remains determined to uncover full facts pertaining to the Mumbai incident. He stressed the need for close cooperation between Pakistan and India to defeat terrorism, which is the common enemy of the people of Pakistan and India.

 

Foreign Minister Qureshi briefed Foreign Minister Miliband on President Asif Ali Zardari’s recent visit to Afghanistan. Foreign Minister Qureshi also apprised Miliband on the Government’s domestic priorities and the concrete measures taken to meet various challenges facing the country, including the multi-pronged strategy to counter extremism and terrorism.

 

The two Foreign Ministers underscored that bilateral relations were rooted in a long historic association. United Kingdom is amongst Pakistan’s largest trading and economic partners. Pakistan is also a recipient of substantive development assistance from UK. The presence of around one million British citizens of Pakistani origin reinforces this relationship.

 

 

Courtesy: APP, MoFA

17 Jan 2009