UK Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs Dominic Raab has announced that his country is releasing thirty million pounds of life saving support to Afghanistan’s neighbors including Pakistan.

Addressing a news conference along with Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi after delegation level talks in Islamabad, he said the aim is to provide shelter, household necessities and sanitation to the fleeing Afghans. He said we recognize this problem and we want to be partner in solution with a key partner like Pakistan.  He said the UK is mindful of the situation for Afghanistan's neighbors and it will be shouldering its humanitarian responsibility.

The UK Foreign Secretary said his country also stands by its commitment for the Afghan future.  He said that during talks with Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, matters of humanitarian lifeline and regional stability were discussed as well as the Afghan land does not again become a safe haven for terrorists.

Dominic Raab said we have also increased our aid budget for Afghanistan this year to 286 million pounds.

He said we have evacuated fifteen thousand people to the UK and they are working together to secure a safe passage for others who have yet not get out of Afghanistan.

Describing his meeting with the Foreign Minister Qureshi constructive and cordial, Dominic Raab said both Pakistan and the UK enjoy strong relations.  He said his country desires to take the relationship to the next level.

Shah Mahmood Qureshi said Pakistan and the UK have developed a platform to upgrade the bilateral relationship to a higher level.

The Foreign Minister said he apprised the UK Foreign Secretary on the legislative and administrative steps taken by Pakistan to get out of the grey list of the FATF.  He urged the UK to support Pakistan in the FATF. 

He said the matter of red list was also taken up with the UK Foreign Secretary. He said Special Assitant on National Health Services Dr Faisal Sultan will hold a meeting with the British authorities on Monday and put forward Pakistan's point of view.