PM, British Home Secretary discuss ways to cooperate on counter-terrorism, economy
ISLAMABAD, Nov 24 (APP): Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani and British Home Secretary Theresa May on Thursday discussed a whole gamut of issues pertaining to cooperation in counter-terrorism, economic security and education.The British Home Secretary called on Prime Minister Gilani here at Prime Minister House.The Prime Minister said national security was linked with the economic security and underscored the importance of economic stability for which the UK’s co-operation was of fundamental importance.
“The world should help us through greater market access and with more trade and investment,” he added.
 The Prime Minister appreciated the economic assistance of the UK for the development of Pakistan, adding that terrorism was holding them back from realizing the full dividends because terrorist attacks in the country not only circumvent the foreign investment but also slowdown economic growth thereby affecting economy in more than one way.
 The Prime Minister said cooperation between the two countries in the war on terror, has been going in the right direction.
However, this cooperation should go beyond terrorism as both the countries share the history of engagement in multiple fields and their understanding of each other’s position lays the foundation of durable relations based on mutual respect and equality.
 The ongoing collaboration in the field of education between the two countries is one of the biggest in the world.
 The Prime Minister mentioned the importance of the enhanced strategic dialogue, adding that extensive discussions which took place between the officials of the two countries during the visit of the Security Advisor Peter Rickedds are preparation for his visit to the UK in April next year.
 The Prime Minister would meet his British counterpart in London during the second session of the Enhanced Strategic Dialogue.
 The Prime Minister said Pakistan would support the peace process which was Afghan-led and Afghan-owned.
 “We want independent, peaceful, prosperous and stable Afghanistan,” he said.
 The Prime Minister said at the time of Soviet withdrawal Pakistan was left with more than two million Afghan refugees to look after and they were still in the country.
“We want their return and settlement inside Afghanistan with honour and dignity,” he added.
 The British Home Secretary appreciated Pakistan’s sacrifices and successes in the war on terror and said that his country would continue to support Pakistan and the co-operation between both countries in different fields under the umbrella of Enhanced Strategic Dialogue would be strengthened.
 The British Home Secretary said that her country’s commitment for counter-terrorism remained strong and unequivocal. She offered UK’s assistance in imparting training to the Pakistani police in investigation and forensic fields, which give scientific strength to prosecution.
 The British Home Secretary also mentioned the de-radicalisation programme, which had a number of successes in the country by preventing those who have the tendency to develop extremist tendencies.
Its replication in Pakistan may yield the same results, she said.She said the United Kingdom leadership was looking forward to the visit of Pakistan’s Prime Minister, which would go a long way to increase and strengthen cooperation in multiple fields especially in the area of counter-terrorism so critical for security and stability of this region.