Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has said his country desire a similar nuclear deal with US as it has done with India.
Responding to questions at the conclusion of his keynote address at the British Security think tank-International Institute for Strategic Studies- on Thursday afternoon, the Foreign Minister said Indo-US nuclear agreement must not be discriminatory in nature.
25 July 2008: Pakistan Times
By Raza Mumtaz 'Pakistan Times' Executive Editor/UK Bureau Chief
LONDON (UK): Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has said his country desire a similar nuclear deal with US as it has done with India.
Responding to questions at the conclusion of his keynote address at the British Security think tank-International Institute for Strategic Studies- on Thursday afternoon, the Foreign Minister said Indo-US nuclear agreement must not be discriminatory in nature.
“Pakistan should be eligible for the same facility,” he said citing country’s growing energy requirements and needs. Answering another question, Qureshi said any infringement of Pakistan’s territory on the western borders would be counter productive.
He said Pakistan’s co-operation with NATO forces in Afghanistan remain positive. Questioned about relations with India, he said these were growing steadily and the two countries have initiated a number of CBMs to further consolidate the ties.
He said Pakistan was keen to develop economic and commercial ties with its eastern neighbour and in the recently announced Trade Policy, the Government has unveiled a number of measures to increase trade items for the mutual benefit of the two countries.
On the reported purchase of agricultural lands by UAE in Pakistan, the Foreign Minister clarified that the lands were being leased out to make them more productive through the use of modern technology
He said corporate sector was being invited to cultivate these lands but the main objective was to cater first for the domestic need and surplus food would be exported.
Responding to another question, he said the UK and other Western countries could help Pakistan by developing the tribal areas and bring about peace and prosperity in this deprived region.
Qureshi said both Pakistan and UK enjoy excellent relations and Britain has increased its economic aid for the development of various socio-economic sectors.
He said gas pipeline from Iran to India through Pakistan would benefit all three countries and usher in prosperity.
An earlier report had said; Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has began his maiden official visit to the United Kingdom by holding substantive talks on bilateral relations between the two countries with the British leadership.
Soon after his arrival on a three-day visit, the Foreign Minister met the British Opposition leader David Cameron at the House of Commons and later on Communities and Local Government Secretary Hazel Blears.
Briefing on the two meetings, Foreign Office spokesman Muhammad Sadiq said the Foreign Minister informed them that the new democratic Government is keenly interested in further development of this co-operation.
The Foreign Minister said UK was the third largest trading partner of Pakistan in the world and the largest in European Union.
Shah Mahmood Qureshi briefed Cameron on Indo-Pakistan relations, Pak-Afghan ties and informed him of the efforts Pakistan Government is making to keep relationship positive.
The Foreign Minister also briefed Cameron on three pronged comprehensive strategy of the democratic Government to counter extremism and terrorism.
Mr.Qureshi urged support for Pakistan's efforts to gain GPS plus status in the EU. The Pakistani Minister proposed more frequent exchange of Parliament delegations visit. Cameron welcomed this suggestion.
He said UK believed in free trade and that he would use his influence in obtaining GPS plus status for Pakistan in the European Union. Cameron said he was looking forward to his visit to Pakistan from September 2 to 4.
In his meeting with Ms Blears, Mr.Qureshi said one million strong British-Pakistan community is a useful linkage between Pakistan and United Kingdom.
He said Pakistan has an abiding and profound interest in augmenting bilateral relations to their mutual advantage. He added that Pakistan and Britain has shared values and commonality of perceptions on regional and global including democracy and fight against terrorism.
The Foreign Minister underscored the importance of employment and importance of economic development for weaning away the youth of the ethnic community from terrorism.
He also noted the presence of four British-Pakistanis in the House of Commons, as many in the House of Lords and one in the European Parliament and one as a member of the British cabinet.
The Communities Secretary spoke of the significant profile of British-Pakistanis in the British politics, parliament and in local government. She said there is a record number of 280 councillors of Pakistan origin including four mayors and one deputy mayor.
Ms Blears told the Foreign Minister that she would be visiting Pakistan from July 28 to 30 and will meet a number of Parliamentarians in Islamabad.
She will also pay a visit to the Fatima Jinnah Women University in Rawalpindi. According to the spokesman, she also appreciated the role of British-Pakistan community in shaping linkages between the two countries
