ISLAMABAD, Oct 30: Prince of Wales Charles on Monday called on President Pervez Musharraf at Aiwan-i-Sadr and discussed regional and international issues of mutual concern and bilateral ties with him.

The president expressed the hope that existing ‘excellent’ relations between the two countries would be consolidated as a result of the prince’s visit and lead to increased cooperation in various fields.

He expressed gratitude of the government and people of Pakistan for the prompt assistance Britain provided in wake of the Oct 8, 2005, earthquake.

He praised British rescue teams for their critical role in rescue and recovery operations.

Prince Charles expressed the hope that his visit would help bolster cooperation between the two countries in the political, economic and trade fields.

He spoke of Britain’s gratitude to Pakistan over its help in the fight against terrorism and in particular in the wake of the bomb attacks in London.

A Clarence House spokesman said the prince thanked the president for his help with tracking those responsible for the 7/7 attacks.

Meanwhile, Duchess of Cornwall Camilla paid separate visits to Begum Sehba Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz’s wife Rukhsana.

DEATH SENTENCE: A senior diplomat said Prince Charles asked the president about the issue of Mirza Tahir Hussain, a British national death sentence convict in Adiala jail, Rawalpindi.

The president told the prince that the case was already being looked into, the diplomat said.

Information Minister Mohammed Ali Durrani, however, said the prince did not raise the case.

Prince Charles also praised President Musharraf for Pakistan’s efforts to counter terrorism, said British High Commissioner Mark Lyall Grant.

—PPI