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UK to increase aid for Pakistan to 665 million pounds: Hague

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Islamabad, June 24, IRNA -- British Foreign Secretary William Hague said Wednesday United Kingdom will increase development aid for Pakistan to 665 million pounds over next four years.

“This would include 250 million pounds for education programme and 50 million pounds to support stabilization and reconstruction in areas affected by conflict on border with Afghanistan,” Hague told a joint press conference with Pakistani counterpart Shah Mehmood Qureshi.

He said the United Kingdom is keen to deepen strategic dialogue with Pakistan, adding the United Kingdom would support efforts of the Pakistan Government for a stable, prosperous and democratic future of the country.

Asked to comment on the report of the London School of Economics alleging that Pakistan intelligence agency is supporting Taliban, the British Foreign Secretary pointed out that Pakistan has already strongly denied the report.

He said Pakistan has made enormous sacrifices in its capacity as frontline state in the war against terror. “It has made immense military effort in which many of its soldiers lost their lives in battling against violent extremism and that must be understood all over the world”.

To a question about UK's special relationship with India, the British Foreign Secretary said the world economy is changing in many ways and fastest economies of the world are outside Europe. He said the United Kingdom is basing its relations with India in that perspective but his country has equally strong relationship with Pakistan.

He said the UK wants Pakistan and India to resolve their problems.

About Pakistan-Iran gas pipeline project, the William Hague said Pakistan is a sovereignty country and "we respect its decisions".

He said the new UK Government is strongly committed to a long term, productive and friendly relationship with Pakistan. The British Foreign Secretary pointed out that one million strong Pakistani diaspora in his country is playing crucial role in different spheres of life. Several British nationals of Pakistani origin have reached the parliament.

Addressing a news conference with Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi expressed resolve of the new government to maintain and strengthen relations in different fields. He said there are enormous opportunities for increasing cooperation in business, cultural and educational fields.

Qureshi said during the talks the two countries have agreed on many things to strengthen their ties. He said the extended three day visit to Pakistan by the new British Foreign Secretary is manifestation of the desire on the part of the United Kingdom to deepen relations with Pakistan. He said the new British government has shown willingness to support education sector and infrastructure development. "We are trying to bridge gap and are looking for trade and attract British investment".

Shah Mehmood Qureshi said that they held a very positive meeting and agreed to start strategic dialogue process. He said during the meeting they also discussed interfaith dialogue and situation in Iran and Afghanistan. The Foreign Minister said that issuance of visa was also discussed with his British counterpart.