Pakistan and the United Kingdom have commonality of interest on a range of issues to tackle extremism and terrorism through economic and social development and uplift of the tribal areas. Addressing a joint press conference after meeting members of the British Muslim community in UK's third largest city on Friday evening, Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and his British counterpart David Miliband noted the complexity of the issue and said it could be settled through sustained efforts by all the stakeholders. Miliband said UK supports the comprehensive multi-prong strategy of Pakistan based on economic, political and social issues. “We stand united in our determination against the danger posed by terrorism not only to UK but also to Pakistan, " Miliband was quoted as saying by the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP). Qureshi informed the media of his deep and substantive interaction with Miliband earlier in the day in London where the two also had lunch together, on a number of bilateral issues and ways and means of further strengthening the ties. He said the new democratic government need space and time to settle down and but at the same time both countries have shared consensus and were keen to address these concerns. The Foreign Minister said Pakistan need action plan to implement its strategy and to achieve these objectives, the county require international support and assistance to deal with the menace of extremism and terrorism.
