National News

ISLAMABAD, (APP): Britain on Tuesday, while welcoming
Pakistan’s investigation of the Pathankot incident, urged both
Pakistan and India not to let “non-state actors” derail the peace
process.
British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond, addressing a joint
press conference here along with Advisor to Prime Minister on
Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz, said “I urge both Pakistan and India
not to allow non-state actors and other pressure groups derail the
peace process.”
The British foreign secretary termed Pakistan’s fight against
terror as a “role model” and expressed the hope that progress would
be made in the investigation.
Hammond also lauded Pakistan’s role in the fight against
terrorism and said his country would continue to support Pakistan
in the war on terror.
“I salute Pakistan’s efforts in the fight against terrorism.
Pakistan is the victim of terrorism and we want to work with
Pakistan to take on the threats it faces.”
He said the two countries would remain partner against
terrorism.
The Advisor on Foreign Affairs said Pak-India talks were not
tied to the investigation of the Pathankot incident and added that
Pakistan’s Joint Investigation Team will visit India in a few days
to gather evidence.
Without giving a date, he expressed the hope that the foreign
secretaries of the two countries would meet soon.
Philip Hammond referring to the Pakistan-India ties, welcomed
the commitment shown by Pakistan to investigate the Pathankot
incident. To a question, he said his country supports dialogue
between Pakistan and India for peace and security in the region.
Advisor Sartaj Aziz expressed confidence that the Afghan
reconciliation process would start in the next few days.
Hammond welcomed Pakistan’s efforts for reconciliation in
Afghanistan and said they discussed support of the international
community to the Afghan reconciliation process.
To a question, he said peace in the region was vital for
both the countries and said there was a need for more confidence
building between the two countries to stop the use of their soil
for launching terrorist attacks.
Pakistan and the United Kingdom also agreed on a three-year
roadmap for enhanced cooperation in different fields, with a
particular focus on the health and education sectors.
The understanding for the three-year roadmap from 2016-18
came at a meeting between Advisor on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz
and UK Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs
Philip Hammond, following a round of talks here at the Foreign
Office.
Adviser to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj
Aziz said the two countries will be holding next round of their
strategic dialogue in the next few weeks.
Pakistan and the United Kingdom agreed on the Enhanced
Strategic Dialogue in April 2011 with an objective to “a
stronger, deeper, franker and more practical Pakistan-UK
bilateral relationship, supported by commercial engagement,
which enables Pakistan and the United Kingdom to become more
secure, stable and prosperous.”
The areas of cooperation include Trade and Business
Relations, Financial, Macro-Economic Stabilization and
Development Cooperation, Education and Health, Consultations
on Defence and Security, and Cultural Cooperation.
Sartaj Aziz said both Pakistan and Britain share convergence
of views on regional and international issues and committed to
further enhance their multifaceted relations. He said they discussed
bilateral investment and trade and appreciated UK’s assistance in
the fields of education and health.
The Britain’s Secretary of State Philip Hammond said both
the countries enjoy excellent relations, spanning over decades.
Philip Hammond was also appreciative of Pakistan’s successes
on the security and economic fronts and said Pakistan’s geo-
strategic location which was hitherto a source of tension, was
now a source of opportunity.
He said the development of the North-South energy route and
East-West trade routes to China would boost economic activity.
He said the United Kingdom desires to work with Pakistan
for long-term opportunities to bring peace and prosperity to
the peoples of two countries.