Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari has said that the anti-terror war would continue against militants till the complete elimination of this cancer as it poses a threat not only to the future generations in Pakistan but also dangerous to the peace and stability of the international community, Xinhua reported.
"Pakistan has suffered tremendously in the global fight against militancy and finds its economy greatly ravaged by the war against militancy and terrorism," Zardari said in a meeting with visiting British Foreign Secretary William Hague on Wednesday evening.
Matters relating to Pakistan-UK bilateral relations, Pakistan's fight against militancy terrorism and regional issues came under discussion during the meeting, the president office said.
The president said that Pakistan has been approaching its friends for support and assistance. "We need assistance not only to rescue our war ravaged economy but also to create vistas of opportunities for our people in order to win the battle of hearts and minds," he said.
While discussing regional situation, the president said that Pakistan has legitimate interest in restoration of peace and stability in Afghanistan. He said that any initiative on Afghanistan should ensure Afghan ownership of the process as well as territorial integrity of the country, national reconciliation and peace and stability.
The British foreign secretary appreciated the efforts of the Pakistan's democratic government to curb militancy and terrorism and paid rich tributes to the sacrifices and the resilience shown by the Pakistani people in fighting extremism and terrorism.
He said that the new British government was committed to a long term productive friendship with Pakistan and would put in a new momentum. He said that Britain would continue to support Pakistan in fighting militancy.
Hague arrived in Islamabad on Wednesday for a three-day official visit to Pakistan. During his first visit to Pakistan, he shared British perspective on various issues with the top Pakistani leadership.