Britain to work with Pakistan on anti-terror strategy

British Prime Minister David Cameron said here Sunday that Britain will work in partnership with Pakistan for developing strategy on counter-terrorism. Speaking at a joint press conference with his Pakistani counterpart, Nawaz Sharif, after their official talks in Islamabad, Cameron paid tribute to the people of Pakistan for their sacrifices in the fights against terrorism. "The UK will provide more equipment to tackle the scourge of improvised explosive devices. We will also support Pakistan in improving the security of its infrastructures, including safeguarding sporting events," he said. They underscored the importance of peace, stability and security in Afghanistan and reaffirmed their support for an Afghan- led and Afghan-owned reconciliation process. Nawaz Sharif said Pakistan will cooperate in promotion of inclusive-Afghan talks and will help in a peace deal ahead of the NATO withdrawal. The British Prime Minister said that a stable, democratic and prosperous Afghanistan is in Pakistan's interest and a similar Pakistan is in Afghanistan's interest. He said Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and President Hamid Karzai will jointly work to achieve the goal. Cameron pledged to increase bilateral trade to 3 billion pounds (4.56 billion U.S. dollars) by 2015. The two sides agreed to encourage investment in the energy sector. Britain will continue to play its leading role in the international community to support Pakistan to enhance economic growth, including through increased market access to the European Union. Under the framework of the Enhanced Strategic Dialogue, the two governments will continue their regular dialogue on economic reform. Nawaz Sharif apprised Cameron of the ongoing Pakistan-India peace process. Nawaz Sharif also accepted an invitation to visit Britain to carry forward cooperation between the two countries. Talking to Pakistan's business leaders in Islamabad, Cameron said his country wants to expand trade and commercial relations with Pakistan through increasing bilateral relations. He said his country will fully support Pakistan to get Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) Plus status, which will help give new boost to its trade with the European Union.