PM Shehbaz, UK NSA discuss security, trade cooperation

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening ties with the United Kingdom during a meeting with UK National Security Adviser Jonathan Powell at the Prime Minister House.

According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Tariq Fatemi, Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch and Secretary National Security Division Sajid Baloch also attended the meeting.

The prime minister described the UK as a longstanding strategic partner and reiterated Islamabad’s resolve to maintain “robust and forward-looking engagement” with London.

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Shehbaz conveyed his best wishes to British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and recalled their recent telephone conversation, during which both leaders had expressed a desire to further deepen bilateral relations.

The two sides discussed regional and international developments, with Powell appreciating Pakistan’s “constructive role” in regional diplomacy and its efforts aimed at dialogue and de-escalation in the broader region, the statement said.

The British national security adviser also congratulated the government on its economic reform efforts and expressed London’s interest in expanding cooperation with Pakistan in the areas of security, trade, investment and development.

Pakistan and the UK share longstanding ties spanning trade, education, security cooperation and people-to-people contacts.