LAHORE, March 18: The British government strongly supports President Musharraf’s policy of ‘enlightened moderation’ which also includes steps to help ensure respect for human rights and democratisation, but in both these areas there is more to be done before the next year’s general election.

“We welcome the appointment of the new election commissioner and stand ready to continue our support,” British High Commission’s Second Secretary, Press and Public Affairs, Simon Smart, said at a ‘Meet the Press Programme’ organised by the Lahore Press Club here on Saturday.

He said Britain was eager to see what would happen next year (with regard to general elections). The appointment of the chief election commission was a step in the right direction, he said and added: “We hope the elections will be fair and free.”

Mr Smart said Britain did support democracy and encouraged it in Pakistan. The promise by the president that he would not violate the Constitution was encouraging, he said.

He said Britain welcomed and supported the composite dialogue process between Pakistan and India which had led to a significant improvement in their relations. He said for progress on Kashmir issue the views of Kashmiris on the both side of the Line of Control should be accommodated.

He said it was encouraging to see development in this context, and added that still many difficult issues remained to be addressed. The UK would continue to work with all sides, in line with its capacities and the wishes of the parties concerned, to assist progress towards a lasting and just resolution.

Mr Smart said Britain’s foreign policy these days was centred around eight strategic priorities which involved tackling migration challenges, drug trafficking, developing an international system based on the rule of law and resolving conflicts, promoting economic and trade interests, sustainable development and democracy, and the global challenges thrown by terrorism. Pakistan featured strongly in at least five of them, he added.

He said in the UK, laws on incitement to terrorism had been tightened. In Pakistan, the government had both short and long-term strategies for tackling terrorism and its breeding ground, extremism. During his stay in Pakistan, he said, he found local population kind, hospitable and generous. They (Pakistanis) neither wanted nor supported terrorist elements that sought to undermine the security of their country and the surrounding region, he observed. “They are fed up with the negative image that Pakistan gets because of these evil-minded individuals. We must continue to stand together to fight them.”

He termed the London bombings attacks on the humanity and said the terrorists knew no border nor they had allegiance to any one nation. People from 19 countries having different faiths were injured or killed in the London bombings.

He said Al Qaeda was no longer primarily a problem for the West as the organisation and its sympathisers had made strikes in Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Iraq and Pakistan as well. The remnants of the Taliban equally threatened security and stability in Pakistan and Afghanistan, Mr Smart said.

He said the UK understood that its foreign policy was an area of key concern to the Muslims in Britain and elsewhere, who were concerned over what was happening in Iraq, Afghanistan, Palestine, Chechnya and Kashmir.

Many people in the UK, not just the Muslims, disagreed with Britain’s decision to intervene in Iraq. The only genuine million-person march in recent years took place in London in 2003 to peacefully protest attack on Iraq.

In both Iraq and Afghanistan, he claimed, the UK’s intentions were ‘honourable’. “We are working in the both countries with representatives of all communities to establish stable democratic structures and security rooted in local capacity, not foreign forces, to provide a framework for reconstruction and development,” he said, adding that in both the countries the British forces would remain as long as they were needed.

He said in Afghanistan, the UK, as the country commanding NATO forces, was about to deploy additional troops to support local authorities in their task of stabilisation, protection and rehabilitation.

On inter-faith harmony, Mr Smart said, in today’s globalised world there was a pressing need to improve and deepen understanding between various cultures and faiths. The British government had done a lot to promote it within and outside its borders.

He said the British government rejected the thesis of a clash between the Muslim and western civilisations. That was a false concept propagated by those who sought to promote divisions and the consequent chaos.

“The three great monotheistic faiths of Islam, Christianity and Judaism share values as much as they share prophets. We must strengthen our common values and understanding.” he said.

On drug trafficking, he said 95 per cent of the heroin on the streets of UK came from Afghanistan and between 30 to 40 per cent through Pakistan. The high commission was working to effect a change in this area, he added.

“We have drug liaison officers working with the ANF and other Pakistani agencies, provided training and equipment to Pakistani personnel, and recently announced 6 million pounds for two helicopters to patrol the border area.”

Mr Smart said Britain was providing an annual 80 million pound development assistance to Pakistan and had just signed a 10-year cooperation programme with it.

Britain had also provided over 128 million pounds for the earthquake relief efforts, beyond its regular development assistance. UK search and rescue teams were amongst the first on the ground and it was committed to reconstruction of quake-hit areas.

He said in view of the tremendous interest shown by Pakistanis to visit Britain, the British high commission had already improved the visa service in Islamabad. It was planning to introduce a bio-metric system for visa applications and a point-based system for those wishing to work or study in the UK.

But, he said, illegal immigration had always been a concern for the UK where thousands of people attempt to go illegally every year. “Our message is clear, please do not do it. Do not listen to unscrupulous agents as the only person that can give a visa is the entry clearance officer in Islamabad.”

In addition, Mr Smart said, life in the Uk as an illegal immigrant was really not that great. “Many who go illegally end up working as exploited labour. Many are caught and returned to Pakistan to face hardships.”