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Zardari seeks UK’s help in EU market access for Pakistan

* Calls for reducing processing time for UK visa
* South Waziristan operation will continue until area cleared of terrorists

By Sajjad Malik

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan looks forward to continued support from the United Kingdom in gaining market access for Pakistani products in the European Union and the initiation of free trade agreements, President Asif Ali Zardari said on Monday.

He was talking to Sir Sherard Cowper-Coles, the British foreign secretary’s special representative on Afghanistan and Pakistan, who called on him to discuss various issues of mutual interest.

“This will help boost Pakistan’s economy by generating employment opportunities and send positive signals to Pakistani entrepreneurs and foreign investors,” Zardari added.

He highlighted the difficulties faced by Pakistani nationals in obtaining UK visas and called for reducing visa-processing time.

Zardari also appreciated the measures being taken by the British government to strengthen its visa sections in Islamabad and Abu Dhabi to clear the backlog of visa applications.

Operation: He told the British envoy that the military operation in South Waziristan would continue until the Taliban had been completely eliminated from the area.

“The operation will continue until the area is cleared of terrorists and the objectives of the operation are achieved,” Zardari added.

He urged that a roadmap should be devised to further ‘strategic dialogue’ between Pakistan and the UK towards building a comprehensive partnership, adding the dialogue should address Pakistan’s security and economic development. Zardari said his visits to the UK in August and September and the recent visits by the British home and defence secretaries had contributed to strengthening strategic dialogue between the two countries.

“The government is equally focused on the relief and rehabilitation of the displaced people from Waziristan and the international community should step forward to share the burden,” he added.

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