Simon Shercliff

Earlier this week in Istanbul, there was a high-level "Friends of Democratic Pakistan" meeting - for the US Ambassador Holbrooke attended, and for us his direct counter-part, Sir Sherard Cowper-Coles led the team. This grouping is now almost a year old - it was inaugurated at the UN General Assembly last year. It's purpose? Pretty much what it says on the tin - Pakistan's friends wanted a forum to discuss and consult with Pakistan how they can help Pakistan to ease its political, economic and security challenges. The (then) new Pakistan government, led by President Zardari, very much welcomed this offer of support, and the Friends grouping took off.

 

There was plenty to discuss in Istanbul. We have all watched over the last several months as the Pakistan Military and Law Enforcement Agencies have engaged in a vigorous campaign to confront militancy within its own borders. The Pakistan people have supported their authorities and security services in this campaign - a welcome showing of determination from within the population to stamp out these corrosive elements within their own borders. The Government of Pakistan has followed their extensive military operations with equal determination to smooth the difficulties caused by the millions of internally displaced people - more than 1.4 million of them have now returned home. The reconstruction and rehabilitation of the affected areas of Swat and Malakand remain a high priority of the Government of Pakistan - the Friends expressed their strong support in this crucial endeavor.

 

A wide-ranging list of other priority areas for the Friends to focus on was agreed at the meeting - see the official statement. The next step is a summit-level meeting of the Friends to be held once again in the margins of the UN General Assembly - it will be co-chaired by President Zardari, President Obama and our Prime Minister, Gordon Brown.