Guardian : Blair in Pakistan anti-terror talks

Blair in Pakistan anti-terror talks

Press Association | November 19, 2006

Tony Blair will talks with Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf aimed at bolstering co-operation in the international "war on terror".

The two leaders will announce a new joint working group from the Home Office and the Pakistani Interior Ministry on counter terrorism and counter narcotics.

At the same time, Mr Blair - who flew into the capital Islamabad - will pledge a doubling of British development aid to Pakistan from £236 million to £480 million over the next three years.

In addition, there is a counter-terrorism package worth around £8 million in technical assistance and support for preventative investigations, crisis management and tracking down terrorist finance.

The development money will be used to support General Musharraf's educational reforms designed to counter the influence of the radical madrassas which have been a hotbed of Islamic militancy.

Downing Street acknowledged that some cash would go to religious schools, but insisted that it would not be used to support those involved in extremism.

"It is not just designed to counter radicalism but also to train people in the skills which allow the Pakistan economy to develop," the Prime Minister's official spokesman told reporters travelling with Mr Blair.

Pakistan's strategic location and extensive family ties with Britain has made it a key player in the fight against Islamic terrorism, both in Britain and more widely.

MI5 director general Dame Eliza Manningham-Buller recently highlighted to role of al Qaida operatives in Pakistan in providing training and guidance to young British Muslims involved in terror plots in the UK.

At the same time Pakistan has faced criticism for failing to prevent militants crossing the border into neighbouring Afghanistan to join the fighting against the Nato force - including 6,000 British troops - stationed there.

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