Sartaj Aziz (R), Pakistan's adviser for National Security and Foreign Affairs, shakes hands with British Foreign Secretary William Hague at the Foreign Ministry in Islamabad on July 17, 2013. PHOTO: AFP
Addressing a joint press conference in Islamabad on Wednesday, Hague said that Pakistan has made considerable sacrifices in its war against terrorism and continues to struggle.
Hague offered to assist Pakistan in developing a counter-terrorism strategy.
He further applauded the first ever democratic transition of power in Pakistan and said that Britain will try to maintain the relationship with Pakistan.
British Foreign Secretary said that his country would continue to support Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in his ambitious plan of creating jobs, enhancing economic growth and alleviating poverty in Pakistan.
On the topic of police investigations into a money laundering case related to the MQM, Hague said that the matter relates to the police who are looking into it.
Talking about trade and investment between the two countries, National Security and Foreign Affairs Adviser Sartaj Aziz said, “The government is taking concrete steps to enhance trade and investment opportunities among both the countries”.
He said that Pakistan is grateful for Britain’s support in the European Union and hoped that the nation will continue to extend their support to Pakistan in other areas as well.
Aziz said that trade between Pakistan and UK amounted to $3 billion and he saw it increasing to $5 billion in the times to come.
He said that Pakistan wants inclusion in GSP Plus and a greater access to EU market and stressed that UK's support in the matter was appreciated.
“In coming years, we hope, we will have enhanced strategic dialogue to deal with security, economic and political issues,” Aziz said.
He added that while the government was looking into reports of some Taliban members moving to Syria, he reiterated that the government had nothing to do with movement of Taliban personnel.
Aziz said that he will be visiting Kabul on Saturday.
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