December 10, 2003	Wednesday	Shawwal 15, 1424

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ISLAMABAD, Dec 9: President Gen Pervez Musharraf has called for an early resolution of the issue of the alleged bugging of Pakistani High Commission besides expressing disappointment over the Commonwealth’s reluctance to take back Pakistan into its fold.

The president said the resolution of the issue of the alleged bugging of the Pakistani mission would be conducive for the future cooperation between the two countries.

He said this during a meeting with the United Kingdom Minister of State for Trade, Investment and Foreign Affairs Mike O’Brien, who called on the President here on Tuesday.

Mr O’Brien was accompanied by Mark Lyall Grant, British High Commissioner to Pakistan.

The president informed the UK minister of the alleged bugging of Pakistan High Commission in London. “It has become an irritant in the relations between the two countries because of the lack of response by the British government to confirm or deny it”, the president added.

Gen Musharraf said democracy and freedom of expression had flourished in the country, which entitled it to participate fully in an organization of which it was a founding member.

President Gen Musharraf discussed with Mr O’Brien cooperation between Pakistan and the UK besides the situation in the region particularly the country’s relations with India and Afghanistan.

The British minister of state informed the president that visa services for Pakistani businessmen would be expanded in the coming months.

Mr O’Brien appreciated the steps taken by Pakistan for improving ties with India.