VALLETTA (Malta), Nov 25: Prime ministers of Pakistan and Britain have reiterated their resolve to fight terrorism globally and continue support to the victims of the Oct 8 earthquake in Pakistan.
The two also deliberated on the situation in the context of Kashmir and Afghanistan.
During their 30-minute meeting on Friday on the sidelines of the Commonwealth Summit in Valletta, capital of this Mediterranean nation, British Prime Minister Tony Blair assured his Pakistani counterpart Shaukat Aziz of his country’s continued and full assistance to the long-term process of rehabilitation of quake survivors.
Both of them agreed to continue their collaboration in combating terrorism and promoting trade and bilateral relations. He said Pakistan’s role in the fight against terrorism was discussed in the context of the overall issue of terrorism. They agreed to further strengthen this cooperation to tackle it globally.
Regional issues, including Kashmir and Afghanistan, were also discussed. Mr Blair appreciated the ongoing peace process between Pakistan and India and expressed the hope that both the countries would find a peaceful solution to the Kashmir issue.
Mr Blair told newsmen after the meeting that UK and other members of the European Union would continue their help to Pakistan for the rehabilitation of quake victims. He expressed solidarity and sympathies with Pakistan on the loss of lives in the quake.
Mr Aziz said “very useful discussions” were held during his meeting with Mr Blair, covering such issues as terrorism, trade, bilateral ties, Pakistan-India relations and regional situation.
He reiterated Pakistan’s opposition to terrorism in all its manifestations, saying the country was part of the global coalition against terrorism because “we are opposed to it and because we believe that the world needs peace”.
He said: “We stand together. We have to share security information. We have to go after those elements who are trying to destabilize the world.”
Mr Aziz said Pakistan was a country committed to peace in the region and the world and added: “We see ourselves as anchor of peace and stability in the region.”
He said he briefed his British counterpart about his recent meetings with Indian counterpart and added that Pakistan believed in settling all issues through dialogue and discussions and these are complex issues including the issue of Jammu and Kashmir, where Pakistan had talked to Indian government and leadership to find a solution to this major issue. “We are making steady progress and I think, overall, the relations between the two countries are moving in right directions, but we do believe that sustainable peace in South Asia will be achieved when the issue of Kashmir is addressed in line with the wishes and aspirations of Kashmiri people,” he said.
With Afghanistan, Iran and the whole region, Pakistan is engaged in promoting peace and economic cooperation so that the whole region could live with each other in peace. Mr Blair welcomed the opening of five points along the Line of Control in Kashmir and said this would help ease tensions in the region.
“We all want to see progress on the issue of Kashmir,” he said, adding that relations between Pakistan and India were a lot better today and “we want to see them progress further.”
