Pakistan, UK Agree to Expand Partnership in Trade, Investment, AI and IT, Ishaq Dar

LONDON: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Muhammad Ishaq Dar has said that Pakistan and the United Kingdom have agreed to jointly expand cooperation in trade, investment, technology in the financial sector, artificial intelligence and information technology, reaffirming their commitment to further strengthening bilateral relations.

Speaking to the media in London on Friday about his high-level meetings during his visit to the UK, the Deputy Prime Minister said the discussions with British officials marked the beginning of a new phase of strategic cooperation between Pakistan and the United Kingdom.

Ishaq Dar said he had a highly productive meeting with the Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, during which they discussed Pakistan’s friendly relations with the Commonwealth, preparations for this year’s Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, as well as reform initiatives and programmes aimed at youth welfare.

He said the Commonwealth Secretary-General had invited Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif to attend the summit. While a final decision regarding the Prime Minister’s participation was yet to be made, Pakistan would “definitely participate” in the meeting, he added.

The Deputy Prime Minister said the Commonwealth Secretary-General also expressed satisfaction with Pakistan’s efforts as co-chair on youth-related matters.

He said Pakistan had offered to share its expertise and experience with the Commonwealth in dealing with natural disasters. Despite contributing less than one percent to global greenhouse gas emissions, Pakistan remains among the 10 countries most affected by climate-related disasters, he added.

Ishaq Dar said he also held a comprehensive meeting with the British Foreign Secretary, during which bilateral relations and cooperation in counterterrorism and counter-narcotics were discussed. Particular attention was also given to the Pakistani diaspora in the UK, which he described as a valuable asset for relations between the two countries.

He said Pakistan and the UK had agreed to expand cooperation in the economy, investment, technology development in the financial sector, artificial intelligence and IT. The two foreign ministers also expressed their commitment to jointly taking the partnership forward in the future.

According to Ishaq Dar, around 94 percent of Pakistani products entering the UK market currently enjoy preferential trade arrangements, from which Pakistan continues to benefit. He said the UK had fully supported the need to further strengthen the bilateral trade relationship.

The Deputy Prime Minister said that following the formation of the new government, he had been tasked with further advancing Pakistan-UK bilateral relations. He also held detailed discussions with British Minister Stephen Doughty and stressed the need to broaden the scope of cooperation between the two countries.

Ishaq Dar said he also met the UK National Security Adviser in a meeting attended by Pakistan’s High Commissioner. He explained that meetings at the national security level are generally held away from cameras under established security protocols. Therefore, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued only a written update on the meeting and did not release photographs.

He said the meeting with the British National Security Adviser covered a wide range of issues, particularly peace and security, and British officials appreciated Pakistan’s role in efforts to mediate between the United States and Iran.

The Deputy Prime Minister said British officials also appreciated the leadership and role of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir in Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts concerning US-Iran mediation.

Ishaq Dar said Pakistan today was in a better diplomatic position than before and that the country’s economy had become stable. He said the government had put the economy on the right track after assuming office.

Referring to India, he said Pakistan’s victory in the recent conflict had enhanced the country’s standing and prestige internationally. He said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Pakistan had defeated India and “brought its arrogance to the ground.”

The Deputy Prime Minister said lasting peace in the region was not possible without resolving the Kashmir dispute. He alleged that India had unilaterally suspended the Indus Waters Treaty, saying that India could not suspend the agreement unilaterally and that such an action constituted a clear violation of international law and the treaty.

He warned that Pakistan would consider any Indian water aggression as an act of war.