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British PM in Pakistan for talks British PM in Pakistan for talks
(about 11 hours later)
UK Prime Minister Tony Blair has begun a brief visit to Pakistan, a day after Pakistani authorities freed a British man who spent 18 years on death row. UK Prime Minister Tony Blair is to hold talks with Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf in Islamabad later on Sunday.
Mr Blair is expected to meet Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Sunday. The pair are expected to focus on working together on counter-terrorism and security in Afghanistan, where UK troops face Taleban-led militants.
It is expected that security in Afghanistan and counter-terrorism co-operation will be on the agenda. In addition, Mr Blair will pledge to double UK development aid for Pakistan to £480m ($960m), UK officials said.
Mr Blair will also pledge to double the UK's development aid for Pakistan to £480m ($960m), UK officials said. His visit comes shortly after Pakistani authorities freed a British man who had spent 18 years on death row.
The money over three years will be used to support Gen Musharraf's educational reforms which aim to counter the influence of Islamic religious schools, or madrasas, seen as a breeding ground for militancy. The UK development aid will be used over three years to support Gen Musharraf's educational reforms, which aim to counter the influence of Islamic religious schools, or madrassas, seen as a breeding ground for militancy.
"It is not just designed to counter radicalism but also to train people in the skills which allow the Pakistan economy to develop," Mr Blair's spokesman told reporters."It is not just designed to counter radicalism but also to train people in the skills which allow the Pakistan economy to develop," Mr Blair's spokesman told reporters.
There will also be a counter-terrorism package of technical assistance, worth some £8m ($15m), UK officials said.There will also be a counter-terrorism package of technical assistance, worth some £8m ($15m), UK officials said.
Pakistan's co-operation in cracking down on cross-border infiltration by Taleban militants is seen as critically important for the success of US and Nato military operations in Afghanistan.Pakistan's co-operation in cracking down on cross-border infiltration by Taleban militants is seen as critically important for the success of US and Nato military operations in Afghanistan.
On his third visit to Pakistan, Mr Blair is also expected to meet Islamic chiefs to discuss inter-faith harmony.On his third visit to Pakistan, Mr Blair is also expected to meet Islamic chiefs to discuss inter-faith harmony.
'Important ally''Important ally'
The BBC's Jonathan Marcus says Pakistan is the contradiction that stands at the heart of Britain and the United States's global war on terror. The BBC's Jonathan Marcus says Pakistan is the contradiction that stands at the heart of the so-called "war on terror".
Mr Blair has previously publicly voiced support for Gen Musharraf
In the wake of the 9/11 attacks in New York and Washington, Gen Musharraf opted to stand alongside the US.In the wake of the 9/11 attacks in New York and Washington, Gen Musharraf opted to stand alongside the US.
Pakistan became, because of its location and local knowledge, one of America's most important allies in the war on terror.Pakistan became, because of its location and local knowledge, one of America's most important allies in the war on terror.
Mr Blair has publicly voiced support for Gen Musharraf. However, British commanders and Western experts say Pakistan needs to do more to hamper the Taleban's revival.Mr Blair has publicly voiced support for Gen Musharraf. However, British commanders and Western experts say Pakistan needs to do more to hamper the Taleban's revival.
There is a sense that the country is fast approaching a tipping point. Nato forces are stretched and their effectiveness is being eroded by restrictions placed by some member governments on their use, our correspondent says.There is a sense that the country is fast approaching a tipping point. Nato forces are stretched and their effectiveness is being eroded by restrictions placed by some member governments on their use, our correspondent says.
Military measures alone cannot resolve Afghanistan's problems. Diplomacy too has an important part to play and here Pakistan's role is essential, he adds.Military measures alone cannot resolve Afghanistan's problems. Diplomacy too has an important part to play and here Pakistan's role is essential, he adds.
Human rights recordHuman rights record
Mr Blair personally asked for clemency for the death row BritonBritish officials have also praised Pakistan for providing intelligence that helped to thwart terrorist attacks in the UK. British officials have also praised Pakistan for providing intelligence that helped to thwart terrorist attacks in the UK.
But the US-based group Human Rights Watch said Mr Blair must urge his hosts to end torture and "enforced disappearances" of terror suspects. Mr Blair personally asked for clemency for Mirza Tahir HussainBut the US-based group Human Rights Watch said Mr Blair must urge his hosts to end torture and "enforced disappearances" of terror suspects.
The one-day talks follow the release of Briton, Mirza Tahir Hussain. Mr Blair had personally asked the president to show clemency to the death row prisoner.The one-day talks follow the release of Briton, Mirza Tahir Hussain. Mr Blair had personally asked the president to show clemency to the death row prisoner.
On Wednesday, Gen Musharraf ordered Mr Hussain's death sentence to be commuted to life in jail, and on Thursday he was released from a high-security prison in Rawalpindi, near the capital, Islamabad. Mr Hussain is now back in Britain.On Wednesday, Gen Musharraf ordered Mr Hussain's death sentence to be commuted to life in jail, and on Thursday he was released from a high-security prison in Rawalpindi, near the capital, Islamabad. Mr Hussain is now back in Britain.
Mr Blair's visit also follows Gen Musharraf's trip to Britain in September, and a tour of Pakistan last month by Prince Charles and his wife Camilla.Mr Blair's visit also follows Gen Musharraf's trip to Britain in September, and a tour of Pakistan last month by Prince Charles and his wife Camilla.