Updated on
Summary
President Asif Ali Zardari Monday called for further enhancing Australia-Pakistan bilateral partnership in all fields particularly defence, trade, investment, agriculture, energy and education sectors. He said this during a meeting with Australian defence minister Senator John Faulkner, who called on him at the Aiwan- e-Sadr. Matters regarding bilateral relations, Pakistans fight against militancy and extremism and regional situation were discussed during the meeting. The Australian defence Minister was also accompanied by Dr. Ian Watt, secretary, department of defence, Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston, chief of Australian defence force, Tim George, Australian High Commissioner in Islamabad and other officials of Australian High Commission in Pakistan. The President appreciated the Australian humanitarian assistance for IDPs and cooperation in the fields of education, agriculture and vocational training and said that heavy investments were needed in the field of education to defeat the militant and extremist mindset in the long run. The President while expressing satisfaction on the growing relationship between the two countries in various fields thanked the Australian government for enhancing development assistance to A$ 120 million over two years, offering defence post- graduate scholarship and providing 100 scholarships in the field of agriculture. The President said that the MoU on Australian-Pakistan Development Partnership that has been finalized would help in further cementing the bilateral relations between the two countries. He expressed the hope that MoUs in other possible areas of cooperation may also be finalized soon to fully utilize the existing level of cooperation between the two countries. The President said that Pakistan is committed to curb militancy and violent extremism at every cost and said that our successes and sacrifices are vivid reflection of our focus on eliminating the scourge. Australian defence Minister Senator John Faulkner appreciated Pakistans commitment to eliminate militancy and assured continued support of the Australian Governments to Pakistan in fighting the menace of terrorism.
