https://arab.news/zb8mm
- Ishaq Dar discusses climate change, creating opportunities for the youth and bilateral trade and investment
- The deputy prime minister is on a five-day visit to the UK where he will meet officials, Pakistani community
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar said on Wednesday his country wanted to transform its longstanding relationship with the United Kingdom into a strategic partnership while meeting British Foreign Secretary David Lammy in London.
Dar began his five-day visit to the UK earlier in the day, during which he is scheduled to hold meetings with top officials and interact with members of the Pakistani expatriate community.
Pakistan and the UK have strong military, economic and educational ties, with the latter hosting to a large Pakistani diaspora.
Dar also felicitated the British foreign secretary on his appointment to the position after the new administration of Prime Minister Keir Starmer took over in July after its election win.
“Deputy Prime Minister Dar said he looked forward to working with British Foreign Secretary Lammy on tackling climate change, creating opportunities for young people, and boosting trade and investment,” an official Pakistani statement circulating from London said.
“He reiterated Pakistan’s desire for transforming the close, historic ties into an enhanced strategic partnership,” it added.
The British official congratulated Dar on Pakistan’s election to the UN Security Council and reaffirmed his country’s support during its term.
The two leaders looked forward to remaining engaged in the run-up to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in October 2024.
This is the Pakistani deputy prime minister’s first official visit to the UK since the election of the Labour government of PM Starmer.