HISTORIC PRESS RELEASE : Pakistan and UK agree to step up efforts against extremists [December 2009]

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 3 December 2009.

Gordon Brown and the Prime Minister of Pakistan have agreed to take further action against extremists operating on Pakistan soil.

During a meeting at Downing Street this morning, the Prime Minister and his counterpart, Yusuf Raza Gilani, discussed working together on the economy, support for education in Pakistan, and agreed to enhance security co-operation against extremism.

The PM said the UK will also help with reconstruction and stabilization, and he confirmed the offer of a further £50 million to back Pakistan’s plans for long-term stabilisation in the country’s border regions.

Gordon Brown announced that £120 million of the UK’s development programme in Pakistan would support the government in reducing poverty, improving education and providing better healthcare.

“We hope to help put 4.7 million children into primary school; reduce the number of underweight children under five by 100,000; and help provide access to clean water for nearly 40 million people.”

The Prime Minister said the UK would also continue to support Pakistan’s economic development.