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bilateral ties and the security situation in Baluchistan

Mr Hague has answered questions posted by audiences on Facebook and Twitter during his visit to Pakistan on 12-13 June 2012.
The Foreign Secretary was asked a series of questions about Afghanistan, UK visa services in Pakistan, bilateral ties and the security situation in Baluchistan.
Read what Mr Hague has answered below on these questions:
You can also follow him @WilliamJHague on Twitter and on his official page on Facebook.

• Lots of people asked about the UK’s stance on the security situation in Baluchistan: @MooedT, @FaizMBaluch, @Gurkabaluch, @Baluch Na Tavar.

The UK continues to urge Pakistan to fully guarantee the fundamental rights of all Pakistani citizens.
We respect Pakistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. The security of Baluchistan is a matter for the people and Government of Pakistan.
We will continue to support efforts to implement reforms to address the root causes of instability in Baluchistan.
We regularly raise with senior officials the vital need to maintain human rights and rule of law in fighting militancy and terrorism.

• William Hague was asked several questions on the UK’s visa services and immigration rules by @Omar Khalid, @Afzal Rahim, Sophia, Nasir, Rashid Sultan, Imtiaz Ali.

It is not appropriate for me to comment on individual cases.
The UK is committed to providing a first class service visa service to Pakistan. In 2011, 155,777 visa applications were received and 74% issued.
We have improved our services and regularly meet customer service targets. Most visa applications (90%) are processed within 15 days.
In the last 12 months, we have launched premium visa lounge services, priority visa service, and Business Select Scheme in Pakistan.
The UK’s family immigration rules are aimed at tackling abuse of rules, promoting better integration and reducing the burden on the UK public funding.

• On a series of questions related to Afghanistan, the Foreign Secretary replies: @hassan_abbas, @Nawied Jabarkhyl

We are working with Pakistan to achieve our shared goals of lasting stability and security in both Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Out of all Afghanistan’s neighbours, Pakistan arguably has the most to lose from instability in Afghanistan.
The UK and Pakistan agree on importance of peace and stability in Afghanistan and fully support an Afghan-led reconciliation process.
Both Afghanistan and Pakistan need to cooperate to manage those that are unwilling to reconcile and remain intent on destabilising the region.

• The Foreign Secretary replies to several questions on UK-Pakistan bilateral relations: @Shahzad Shaw, @SecretaryAgricu, @naveed_lak, @DrFouziaSadiq.

As I said in my joint press conference with the Pakistan Foreign Minister, we are committed to an enduring relationship with Pakistan built on mutual trust, mutual respect and shared interests.
We are committed to co-operating on trade, economic stability and development, cultural co-operation, security, education and health.
The Enhanced Strategic Dialogue launched by Prime Minister Gilani and Prime Minister Cameron last year allows both countries to develop these areas of mutual interest.
On Prime Minister Gilani’s recent visit to the UK, we agreed a trade and investment ‘roadmap’. Our goal is to increase bilateral trade to £2.5bn by 2015.
In the last 12 months, we have doubled the number of children the UK is supporting in schools to over 333,000. We aim to get 4 million children into school in Pakistan by 2014.