Zardari urges end to cricket blame game

[Lahore_Real_Estate]

ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari discussed with British High Commissioner Adam Thomson on Monday the issue of match-fixing allegations levelled against the Pakistani cricket team and assassination of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) leader Imran Farooq in London.

According to sources, President Zardari, who is the Patron in Chief of the Pakistan Cricket Board, expressed concern over the match fixing allegations and said the blame game should be stopped by both sides.

Presidential spokesman Farhatullah Babar refused to comment on the matter discussed at the meeting.

The president also asked Mr Thomson to convey his request to the UK authorities to complete investigation in Mr Farooq’s murder case as soon as possible.

The spokesman said the president called upon the British government and EU countries to further pursue the progress recently made at a foreign ministers’ meeting of the European Union for grant of market access to Pakistani goods in Europe’s markets.

“The grant of trade concessions to Pakistan will enable the government to generate employment opportunities and look after the flood-affected people,” he said.

He thanked the UK and EU and said the market access would help the country to revive its economy which had been badly hit by the war against extremism and the devastating floods.

“In order to ensure transparency, a foolproof system has been developed for utilisation of flood aid. All information about the aid received and disbursed will be put on the web and accessible to everyone,” he said.

Matters regarding rehabilitation and reconstruction of flood-hit areas, revival of economy, bilateral relations, war against militants and regional situation were also discussed.

President Zardari stressed the need for starting a ‘strategic dialogue’ between Pakistan and the United Kingdom.