British MP urges International community to support Pakistan

[dr.umer]

International community urged to support Pakistan ​

LONDON, Nov 7 (APP): A British member of Parliament has urged the international community to come forward and extend complete support to Pakistan in overcoming its present difficulties. Speaking at the House of Commons debate last evening, Paul Goodman, the Opposition Conservative Party member, spoke highly about the potential of Pakistan and said being the frontline country in the war on terror, it was incumbent upon world community to help the South Asian country surmount its economic and other problems.

Goodman whose constituency of Wycombe has the largest number of Muslim constituents, said overwhelming majority of British Muslims reject extremism and those who seek to drive a wedge between them and their fellow citizens of other religions.

The Tory member said those who worship at Islamic religious institutions in his constituency come mostly from a traditional Islamic background and originate largely from Azad Kashmir and Pakistan, as do up to one million other British citizens.

He emphasised on the role of Pakistan in relation to British defence and security and said the movement of people between Britain and Pakistan is habitual and frequent, and enriches both countries.

“I have visited Pakistan and Kashmir twice and addressed meetings there, present at which were many British citizens planning to return to Britain in due course.

“What happens in Pakistan and Kashmir touches many British Muslims more directly than events elsewhere and nearer to home, and events are taking place in Pakistan that directly affect the security of that country, which is of course an ally.”

Goodman spoke of US forces incursion into Pakistan in September, which led to the deaths of about two dozen people.

“In recent weeks the US has launched repeated missile strikes in Pakistan. It has been claimed that George Bush, in the final months of his presidency, has signed an executive order giving US special forces carte blanche to operate in Pakistan. These events have been closely followed in Britain by citizens of Pakistani and Kashmiri origin.”

He spoke about the recent parliamentary elections in Pakistan and said the extremists fared poorly even in the north-western areas, which are sometimes portrayed by British media as a hotbed of unchallenged fanaticism.

The MP further said the Pakistan Peoples party, which won most seats in February’s election after the assassination of Benazir Bhutto, is essentially a moderate party.

Goodman noted that Pakistan has an articulate, educated and westward-looking middle class and the vast majority of people there want what people everywhere want, prosperity, security and freedom.

“The moderation of the people of Pakistan must never be underestimated, but one would be bold to predict a trouble-free future for that country in the medium term and especially in the short term.”

He said a key British strategic aim must therefore be to support the fledgling Government of Pakistan. He also mentioned the unanimous passage of a resolution by Pakistan’s Parliament calling for an end of military action by US in its tribal regions. “This is having an unwelcome effect in Islamabad and also driving up extremism.”

The Tory member asked for opposing military intervention by outside forces in Pakistan without the permission of its Government saying that any such action damages British defence interests, compromises security and undermines the position of a key ally at the time of great need.