LONDON, June 6: The UK is committed to helping Pakistan eradicate poverty and the two countries are working in partnership to accomplish the job, said British Parliamentary Under Secretary of State Gareth Thomas.

He was speaking at a discussion organized by the Department of International Trade and Development (DFID) here late on Thursday to obtain feedback from the British Pakistanis about its various educational and health projects in Punjab and NWFP provinces.

DFID has already pledged 200 million Sterling Pounds, over the next three years, for the poverty alleviation in Pakistan. "The international community is backing Pakistan to eradicate poverty and we are committed to do it. Poverty eradication is our mission in DFIF," said Gareth Thomas and hoped he would visit Pakistan some time.

During a lively question-answer session, after the presentation by a senior DIFID officer Gerry Duffy, the participants asked some searching questions from him, and urged him to ensure that benefits of its development projects reach the grassroots level.

Besides others, it was participated by NWFP Minister for Local Govt. Elections and Rural Development Sardar Muhammad Idris, MP Khalid Mehmoood, and Pakistan's Deputy High Commissioner Murad Ali.

Gareth Thomas said millions of people are living in poverty and the child mortality rate is very high. The country was facing serious challenges in terms of health and education.

Thomas welcomed Pakistan's readmission into the Commonwealth and the decision of Islamabad and New Delhi to continue the peace talks to sort out their all outstanding issues.

MP Khalid Mehmood said the current financial team of Pakistan was working hard to create a business-friendly environment and DFID development projects were setting some very good practices there.

Pakistan's Deputy High Commissioner Murad Ali, in his remarks, thanked Britain for supporting Pakistan's reinstatement in the Commonwealth. -APP