ISLAMABAD, July 26: British Foreign Secretary David Miliband on Thursday brushed aside an impression that MQM leader Altaf Hussain enjoyed immunity against prosecution and was being provided a sanctuary in the United Kingdom.
“There is an independent prosecution system in place in the United Kingdom which works without fear and favour,” he said at a session of the Youth Parliament Pakistan here.
He said that if there was strong evidence that Mr Hussain was responsible for the poor law and order situation in Karachi it would be investigated and he would be dealt with in accordance with the law.
The Youth Parliament is a project conceived and initiated by the Pakistan Institute of Legislative Development And Transparency, a research and training institute focussed on strengthening democracy and democratic institutions, which is supported by the Global Opportunities Fund of the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
Answering a question, Mr Miliband said UK’s relations with Pakistan were not focussed on promoting the interests of Britain. “The policies which are based only on interests do not work, as one’s interests continue to change,” he remarked.
He referred to the recent signing of a new 10-year Development Partnership Arrangement between the UK and Pakistan and the decision to increase the aid to Pakistan from 236 million pounds for the period 2005 to 2008 to 480 million pounds for 2008 to 2011.
“This new development partnership reaffirms our resolve to help Pakistan and its people achieve the Millennium Development Goals,” he said.
