Zardari urges world for aid to flood affectees

Updated at: 0627 PST,  Friday, August 06, 2010  LONDON: President Asif Ali Zardari has urged the international community to extend substantial assistance for the flood victims of Pakistan. He was talking to British Home Secretary Theresa May who called on him Thursday. Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Qamar Zaman Kaira, Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir, Secretary to the President Malik Asif Hayat and other senior government officials also attended the meeting. President Zardari thanked the 10-Downing Street for extending financial assistance of five million pounds and said keeping in view the magnitude of floods and devastation caused by the natural calamity, more international support was required on emergency basis. While discussing visas’ issue, the president said in the context of difficulties being faced by Pakistanis in obtaining UK visas, there was a need to streamline the process particularly for students and businessmen. May assured Zardari of getting in touch with relevant authorities in Pakistan to address the visa issues. Pakistan’s High Commissioner to the UK Wajid Shamsul Hassan proposed for signing a bilateral agreement for abolishing visas on diplomatic and official passports. May appreciated Pakistan’s efforts in fight against terrorism and the sacrifices laid by the people of Pakistan and the security forces in combating terrorism in the region. Zardari emphasised the need of international support in the field of economic development particularly for creating employment opportunities for the youth. He also called for supporting Pakistan for enhancing trade by providing access to Pakistani goods in international markets, like the European Union.