Govt handling multiple challenges: PM

ISLAMABAD - Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has said that the democratic Government in Pakistan is handling multiple challenges including devastation caused by floods, terrorism and uplifting of the feeble economy. He hoped that the democratic countries would support Pakistan to overcome the daunting challenges. During his meeting with the British High Commissioner Adam Thomson at Prime Minister House on Friday afternoon, the Prime Minister said that the Government of Pakistan was looking forward to the visit of the British Prime Minister David Cameron by mid-December to further enhance strategic partnership between Pakistan and UK. He apprised the High Commissioner that he had already asked the Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi to visit London to do preparatory work for the strategic dialogue and launch British Pakistan Foundation. The Prime Minister thanked the British Government for its Rs 18 billion assistance for the flood relief activities. He appreciated provision of another Rs 7 billion by British community for the flood victims. He also mentioned that a number of Pakistani students were studying in Britain and the British Government would extend all possible assistance to make their stay comfortable. He expressed confidence that the British economic and technical assistance to Pakistan would be further enhanced. The British High Commissioner conveyed UKs appreciation for the able and effective manner in which democratic Government in Pakistan was handling multiple challenges including the devastation caused by floods; the process of economic reforms as well as its resolve to counter terrorism. He assured the Prime Minister of UKs support for democratic process in Pakistan. He also expressed strong support for Prime Ministers efforts for reorganising and restructuring the public sector corporations in Pakistan. Adam Thomson assured that UK would continue providing economic and technical assistance. He also discussed details of the expected visit of the British Prime Minister in the meeting. He also conveyed the British Governments full support for Pakistans stability and economic prosperity. Regional situation with respect to Afghanistan was also discussed in the meeting.

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