Miliband calls for reforms in Pakistan

Following the resignation of Pervez Musharraf yesterday as Pakistan’s president, UK Foreign Secretary David Miliband has said a stable future for the country will rely on thorough reform.

Mr Miliband said: “It is important to highlight President Musharraf’s commitment to tackle terrorism, to promote dialogue with India, especially over Kashmir, and to root out corruption.”

He added: “The UK will remain strongly committed to its partnership with the Pakistani people, notably through our aid programme.

“We will also continue to deepen our security co-operation with the new government. And we will be clear about the essential nature of a new partnership between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

“I look forward to the early election of a new president in Pakistan to take forward the important shared work that binds our two countries together.”

He added: “Pakistan is a vital friend of the UK and it is essential for Britain’s security, never mind the personal ties that bind nearly one million British people to Pakistan, that it has a strong and democratic government with a clear mandate and programme for thoroughgoing reform of its social, political and economic structures.”