UK help sought in Sukkur Barrage upgradation

SUKKUR (APP) President Asif Zardari Wednesday urged Britain to send a team of experts to make improvements in Sukkur Barrage to enable it withstand the impact of floods in future.
British Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg who was here to personally see the devastation of the floods promised to send a team of British experts for the purpose. The President said, Sukkur Barrage was built by British experts in 1932 and they were better placed to give advice on what improvements can be made in the 80-year-old barrage.
The meeting with Clegg was also attended by the aides of British Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir and Secretary to the President Asif Hayat among others. Briefing newsmen, Spokesperson Farhatullah Babar said the President said a meeting of Pakistan Development Forum would soon be convened in Islamabad to raise international financial assistance for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of flood ravaged infrastructure and urged Britain and other countries to participate in the conference at an appropriate level.
The President said the damage caused by floods was colossal and beyond the capacity of Pakistan to handle its disastrous effects on its own.
The President also urged the British Deputy Prime Minister to sensitise the European Union and the international community about Pakistans need for enhanced market access and also to mobilize assistance for the flood affectees. Farhatullah Babar quoted the President as saying that the government had devised a transparent scheme for judicious utilization of the aid money. He said the President also highlighted the need to start Strategic Dialogue to discuss all issues and use the forum to upgrade relations in all fields.
The two leaders also discussed bilateral relations and situation in the region. President Zardari said that Pakistan supported President Karzais efforts for political reconciliation in Afghanistan and briefed the British dignitary on the outcome of the Quadrilateral summit held in the Russian town of Sochi. Briefing the British Deputy Prime Minister on Pakistans counter-terrorism efforts the President reiterated determination to root out this menace from its soil and help the international community in building a terror free world.
President Zardari also congratulated Nick Clegg on his assuming the office of Deputy Prime Minister and thanked UK for the flood relief of 64 million pounds.