Pak, UK agree to strengthen ties

ISLAMABAD: National Assembly Speaker Dr Fehmida Mirza and British Foreign Secretary William Hague have agreed to strengthen existing bilateral and parliamentary relations between Pakistan and the UK.

The agreement was reach at a meeting between the two leaders held at the Parliament House on Friday.

Referring to the historic ties between the two countries, Dr Mirza expressed her desire to further cement the relations with the UK by enhancing people-to-people contacts and exchange of parliamentary delegations. She said Pakistan values British support for the development of Pakistan’s social sector. She said Britain and Pakistan not only shared history but also same values of democracy and human freedom.

Dr Mirza said William Hague’s visit to Pakistan after assuming the office of Foreign Secretary provide an opportunity to open new vistas of bilateral cooperation and strategic partnership between the two countries. She stressed the need for Britain’s support for access to Pakistani exports in European markets.

She informed the British foreign secretary that democracy in Pakistan has taken roots and parliament was actively engaged in welfare of people. She apprised him of the establishment of the Women Parliamentary Caucus in the National Assembly and contribution of female lawmakers for women empowerment and emancipation.

On his part, Hague said that Britain considered Pakistan as one of its important strategic partners and would extend its unflinching support for economic and social sector development in Pakistan. He said that the British government believed in democracy and would support Pakistan for strengthening democratic institutions. He agreed for intensification of existing relations between the two countries. He assured his country’s support for market access to Pakistani products in EU markets.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 26th, 2010.