Zardari calls on world for financial assistance

Britain’s Prime Minister David Cameron greets Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari at Chequers. Cameron invited Zardari to dinner at his official country residence. photo: REUTERS

LONDON/MANCHESTER: President Asif Ali Zardari made an impassioned plea to the international community on Thursday to extend substantial assistance for the flood victims of his country.

The appeal was made during a meeting with the British Home Secretary Theresa May who called on him.

The president also expressed his gratitude to the British government for providing five million pounds in financial assistance. However, Zardari bluntly said that much more international assistance was required on an emergency basis given the magnitude of the floods and the scale of devastation in his country.

Broaching the travel woes of his compatriots, President Zardari said there was a need to streamline the process of obtaining UK visas, particularly for students and businessmen. May assured the president that she would get in touch with the relevant authorities to address the issue.

Pakistan’s High Commissioner to the UK Wajid Shamsul Hassan proposed signing an agreement between the two countries for abolishing visas on diplomatic and official passports.

The British home secretary appreciated Pakistan’s efforts in the fight against terrorism and the sacrifices laid by its people and security forces in combating terrorism in the region.

The president emphasised the need for international support in the field of economic development, particularly for creating employment opportunities for the youth. He also called for supporting Pakistan for enhancing trade by providing access to Pakistani goods in international markets, particularly the European Union.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 6^th, 2010.