Pakistan, UK to further boost cooperation in diverse fields, says DPM Dar 

London (Web Desk): Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has said Pakistan and the United Kingdom (UK) have reached an understanding to further deepen their relationship and broaden collaboration in key areas, including trade, investment, technology, artificial intelligence and information technology.

Speaking to journalists in London on Friday, Dar termed his visit to the UK a productive one and said it had provided an opportunity to engage with senior British officials on a range of bilateral and regional matters.

He said he held constructive discussions with British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband, Commonwealth Secretary General Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey and Minister of State for the Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan and Pakistan Stephen Doughty, along with other officials.

Dar said Islamabad and London were committed to building on their existing ties and moving their strategic partnership towards a new level.

He added that the talks also addressed security concerns, counterterrorism, economic collaboration and developments across the region.

The deputy prime minister also pointed to Pakistan’s growing diplomatic standing, noting that the country had secured election as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for the 2025–26 term after receiving 182 votes.

He said Pakistan was also set to take over the chairmanships of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the Economic Cooperation Organization.

DPM Dar said that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will soon visit Bishkek to formally take charge of the SCO chairmanship and participate in the organization’s Council of Heads of State Summit.

Discussing the domestic economy, Dar said Pakistan had achieved macroeconomic stability and that the government’s attention had now shifted towards accelerating economic growth, generating employment opportunities and improving income levels on a per-person basis.

Regarding the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, he said its upcoming phase would place greater emphasis on industrial collaboration, the transfer of technology, agricultural development, boosting exports and expanding business-to-business links.

Addressing questions about regional matters, Dar said Pakistan had firmly opposed any attempt to alter the Indus Waters Treaty through unilateral action.

He maintained that sustainable peace in South Asia could only be achieved by addressing the longstanding Jammu and Kashmir dispute.

On Afghanistan, Dar said Pakistan wanted to see a peaceful and stable neighbour and had called on the Afghan authorities to ensure that their territory was not used for terrorist operations targeting Pakistan.

He added that Islamabad would continue pursuing constructive engagement with Kabul, particularly on security, trade, economic collaboration and other matters of shared interest.