ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif expressed hope that the enhanced strategic dialogue between Pakistan and the UK would help deepen bilateral engagement between the two sides in a range of mutually beneficial areas.
The Prime Minister said this in an interview with UK Armed Forces Minister James Heappey, who called him on Wednesday.
Emphasizing that Pakistan and the UK have a long-standing partnership based on historical ties and enduring people-to-people ties, he expressed a desire to further enhance trade and investment ties between the two countries.
Noting that the two countries would mark the 75th anniversary of the establishment of their diplomatic relations this year, the Prime Minister hoped that the occasion would be appropriately commemorated and give new impetus to the continued cooperation between Pakistan and the UK in the coming years. .
The Prime Minister also stressed the importance of a peaceful and stable Afghanistan, while stressing the importance and urgency of taking the necessary measures to avoid the humanitarian crisis in this country. He stressed that the welfare of 40 million Afghans should be a key priority.
Regarding Ukraine, the Prime Minister urged the international community to remain engaged in the search for a diplomatic solution, in accordance with applicable international law and the Charter of the United Nations. The Prime Minister also stressed the seriousness of the situation in the illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir by India.
Emphasizing Pakistan’s commitment to promoting peace in the region, including with India, the Prime Minister stressed the importance of a peaceful settlement of the Jammu and Kashmir conflict in accordance with relevant Security Council resolutions of the United Nations and the wishes of the Kashmiri people.
The visiting British minister reciprocated the Prime Minister’s sentiments to further strengthen the historic relationship between the two countries, especially in the trade and investment sectors.
Separately, Prime Minister Sharif said on Wednesday that the government and its allies would work with dedication and commitment to implement the public welfare agenda.
He was addressing a delegation of senior Balochistan National Party leaders, including Minister of Science and Technology Agha Hassan Baloch, Minister of State for Energy Muhammad Hashim Noteai, Senator Muhammad Qasim Ranju and Secretary BNP General Jahanzeb Hussain.
BNP leaders expressed their full support for the government’s policies. The meeting also discussed the general political situation.
