Britain extends support for Pakistan anti-Taliban efforts

Posted by Mc Parry on July 7th, 2009 No Comments Printer-Friendly

ISLAMABAD, – British Foreign Secretary David Miliband reiterated on Tuesday support for Pakistan’s anti-Taliban offensive in the troubled northwestern region. Miliband arrived in Islamabad on a three-day visit to Pakistan as the country battled militants in the Swat valley with plans to extend the fight to the lawless tribal belt near Afghanistan in pursuit of top Taliban commander Baitullah Mehsud.

Visiting British Foreign Secretary David Miliband, center, arrives under a tight security to visit Chota Lahore camp of people from Pakistan’s troubled Swat Valley. (AP)

During his visit, the British foreign secretary is due to meet Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, besides calling on Pakistan’s Chief of the Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayaniand opposition leader Nawaz Sharif.

“This visit presents a first opportunity for ministerial discussion of the new UK-Pakistan strategic dialogue,” he was cited as saying by the British High Commission in a statement. ”It also allows me to underline the UK’s support for Pakistan’s current efforts to defeat the extremists and to restore peace and security to areas where extremists operate.”

Pakistani armed forces launched a full-fledged operation against rebels in Swat and its nearby districts in late April after being prompted by the militants’ advance into territory just100 km northwest of the capital city, Islamabad. In a seemingly successful onslaught, the military claimed to have killed more than 1,600 guerrilla fighters and retaken most parts of the scenic mountain region that once thrived on tourism.

But the offensive, which still enjoys vast support of both the public and the political parties, forced some 1.9 million people to flee the violence, triggering a humanitarian crisis. Nearly 85 percent of the displaced persons are staying with host families or in rented accommodation, while those remaining have been accommodated in makeshift camps.

The United Nations and other relief agencies have been struggling to get international aid for the refugees, some of whom have started returning as the military is close to concluding its operation. Miliband said on Tuesday that Britain shared the Pakistani government’s concerns about the welfare of the refugees.

“We are committed to helping with the national and international relief effort to provide assistance for IDPs (internally displaced people),” said Miliband when visiting a refugee camp in Swabi, a district in militancy-plagued North Western Frontier Province.

The UK has given 22 million British pounds (35.75 million U.S. dollars) in humanitarian aid to the UN and International Committee of the Red Cross appeals for Pakistan. (Xinhua)