ISLAMABAD: The United Kingdom on Monday assured Pakistan of its complete support both in economic terms and the fight against terrorism.

This assurance came when the British Permanent Under Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Sir Peter Ricketts, and the Permanent Under Secretary Home Office, Sir David Normington, called on President Asif Ali Zardari.

Islamabad is presently seized with these two major problems which are the greatest challenges that any new government here has ever faced in the present times.

Zardari informed the delegation of his government’s internal priorities, the state of economy and the fight against extremism and terrorism. The president underlined the government’s determination to overcome the present economic challenges which had come about as a result of the international economic situation.

According to a spokesman of the Foreign Office, “The British side expressed understanding of Pakistan’s situation and to extend support as part of the Friends of Pakistan Group. It also appreciated Pakistan’s commendable role in this regard and expressed the UK government’s firm commitment to enable Pakistan overcome this challenge”.

No mention was made by the Foreign Office whether the British officials touched upon plans being discussed in various world capitals of adopting a strategy to bring those resisting the Kabul government to the table for talks which would eventually lead to stability inside Afghanistan and in the region.

Interestingly, it has been Britain which has taken the lead and has recently publicly claimed that military means were not the answer to the growing might of the Taliban who have to be negotiated with.

In this regard Zardari emphasised the fact that the international community, particularly Pakistan’s friends, needed to show greater understanding and support for its position. He also highlighted Pakistan’s multi-dimensional approach in dealing with terrorism.

During the meeting, bilateral relations between Pakistan and the United Kingdom were briefly reviewed. It was underlined that the one million people of Pakistan origin in Britain constituted a special bond between the two countries.

Asim Yasin adds: Talking to Ambassador of Turkey Rauf Engin Soysal who called on the president here at the Aiwan-e-Sadr Monday, Asif Ali Zardari said Pakistan and Turkey were tied in strong political and bilateral ties that would further strengthen in the times ahead.

The president underlined the importance of strong relationship between Pakistan and Turkey and said that the two countries enjoyed deep level of friendship and vowed to further expand it to cover all areas of bilateral cooperation.

The ambassador said that Turkey considers people of Pakistan as brothers and wants Pakistan to be a strong and prosperous country.