British Prime Minister Gordon Brown visited Pakistan on Monday after his Afghanistan trip, vowing to provide support to the country's fight against terrorism and extremism.
"Pakistan and UK face shared threat of extremism and terrorism," said Brown while addressing a joint press conference with his Pakistani counterpart Yousuf Raza Gilani.
"We want to support Pakistani government's efforts to fight militancy," Brown said.
This is Brown's second visit to Pakistan within four months.
His visit came amid rising concerns over the security situation in the country as the Taliban militants are recently spreading their influence after February's peace deal.
Pakistan's security forces have began to launch military offensive against Taliban militants in the northwestern Lower Dir district on Sunday when the militants ambushed an army convoy and killed one soldier.
"The truth is that the Pakistani government and army are already taking intensified actions against militants yesterday and today," said Brown, referring to the security forces' operation in Lower Dir district, which have killed up to 46 militants.
"UK and Pakistan will work together to fight violent extremism," he said.
Brown also said Britain will provide assistance to social sectors like education and health in Pakistan because the absence of these will "cause people to fall into the hands of militants."
Britain has agreed to offer 665 million British pounds (about 968.97 million U.S. dollars) for Pakistan within four years.
The British prime minister arrived in Islamabad Monday after his talks in Kabul with Afghan President Hamid Karzai on a new strategy of fighting "crucible of terrorism" in border region between Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Brown is also expected to discuss the new strategy, to be unveiled on Wednesday, with Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari.
(Xinhua News Agency April 28, 2009)
