Islamabad: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and British Minister of State for South Asia and Commonwealth (FCDO) Lord Tariq Ahmad at an interaction here were of view that historic nature of Pakistan-UK relationship is unparalleled.

Prime Minister reiterated Pakistan’s resolve to further deepen cooperation across multiple sectors, including trade, investment, security, defence, culture and people-to-people linkages.

He expressed satisfaction on positive trajectory of trade and investment cooperation between Pakistan and UK, noting that bilateral trade had reached £ 3.1 billion. He made special reference to positive role played by 1.6 million Pakistani diaspora in forging closer bonds between peoples of both countries.

Lord Ahmad expressed condolences on behalf of His Majesty’s Government on loss of human lives due to recent floods in Pakistan. Prime Minister thanked him for United Kingdom’s support towards flood relief efforts in Pakistan. Prime Minister highlighted that Pakistan, despite contributing less than one percent of global carbon emissions, remains one of most affected countries from climate change.

Lord Ahmad informed Prime Minister that British public and Pakistani diaspora were greatly engaged in relief and rehabilitation efforts for flood affected people of Pakistan. Assuring Prime Minister of UK’s continued assistance for relief and rehabilitation work in Pakistan, Lord Ahmad announced an additional £ 10 million in relief assistance for Pakistan, bringing total quantum of UK flood-related assistance to £ 26.5 million. Prime Minister highlighted continuing Indian human rights violations in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir. He stressed that a peaceful resolution to Kashmir dispute, in accordance with wishes of Kashmiri people and UN Security Council resolutions was critical to achieving long-term peace and stability in South Asia.

He reiterated Pakistan’s principled support for universal and consistent application of UN Charter principles including non-use or threat of use of force, respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity of states, pacific settlement of disputes and equal security for all states.  Prime Minister said that Pakistan continued to call for immediate cessation of hostilities and stressed need for diplomacy and dialogue for an early, negotiated end to Ukraine conflict.

Published in The Daily National Courier, October, 15 2022

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