ISLAMABAD, June 13: The United Kingdom has relaxed travel advisory for its nationals after improvement in the security situation in Pakistan. Speaking to the industrialists and traders at Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) here on Monday, the British High Commissioner, Mark Lyal Grant, said that security situation had improved in Pakistan due to which the British government had removed more or less stringent conditions from the travel advisory to facilitate its nationals intending to visit Pakistan.

He said the United Kingdom fully supported democracy and appreciated the steps of the Government of Pakistan for holding Local Government elections in near future.

Mr Grant said a new British airline will start its operations in Pakistan soon. He said in 2003-04 the total trade between Pakistan and the UK was $1.4 billion and the UK was the only country in Europe, whose trade balance was in favour of Pakistan.

He said the visa issuing processing time had been reduced to seven days for businessmen.

He said at present 80 British companies were operating in Pakistan and more companies were interested in making investments. He said the bilateral trade between India and Pakistan should be further liberalized, which will immensely benefit both the countries.

The ambassador said he had deep-rooted relations with Pakistan, as his grandfather was the governor of Punjab and Lyalpur city was named after him.

He said 800,000 Pakistanis were living in the UK and majority of them were Kashmiris.

He said the United Kingdom supported the solution of Kashmir dispute as per aspirations of Pakistan, India and Kashmiris.

The ICCI president, Tariq Sadiq, sought the support of the British government for removal of anti-dumping duty on Pakistani bed linen.

He also informed the high commissioner about the export display centre project of the ICCI that will provide a window to the Pakistani manufacturers to introduce and market their products abroad.