Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, convened a significant meeting with a cross-party group of British parliamentarians of Pakistani origin at Pakistan House in London. The discussions centered on strengthening bilateral relations, regional security, and development initiatives for Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
Cross-Party Delegation Engages on Key Issues
The British delegation included prominent figures from both the House of Lords and the House of Commons. Attendees comprised Lord Zameer Choudrey, Lord Qurban Hussain, Baroness Shaista Sheehan, and Lord Shaffaq Mohammed, alongside Members of Parliament Mohammad Yasin, Yasmin Qureshi, Afzal Khan, Zubir Ahmed, and Adnan Hussain.
Deputy Prime Minister Dar expressed appreciation for the lawmakers’ sustained efforts in fortifying Pakistan-UK relations. He specifically acknowledged their unwavering advocacy for a just resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, a long-standing point of focus in bilateral dialogues.
Middle East Peace and Regional Stability
The British parliamentarians commended Pakistan’s leadership and mediation efforts in the Middle East. They noted that Pakistan’s historic diplomatic role had garnered international recognition and instilled a sense of pride among overseas Pakistanis.
Dar outlined Pakistan’s ongoing diplomatic initiatives aimed at de-escalation and peace in the Middle East. He underscored that adherence to the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding by all parties was critical to achieving durable peace and stability in the region.
He further highlighted the importance of the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement in reinforcing regional peace. Dar stressed that the agreement was purely defensive in nature, aimed at fostering mutual security without aggressive intent.
Development Agenda for Azad Jammu and Kashmir
Turning to domestic matters, the British lawmakers congratulated Deputy Prime Minister Dar on the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s (PML-N) victory in the recent Azad Jammu and Kashmir legislative assembly elections. They viewed the electoral outcome as a sign of public confidence.
Dar attributed the PML-N’s success to its established track record of delivering economic growth and development. He said the new government would prioritize investment in infrastructure and job creation for the youth of Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
He emphasized that the federal government and the Government of Azad Jammu and Kashmir would collaborate with other political parties and stakeholders to build consensus on important governance and constitutional issues.
Commitment to Strengthen Pakistan-UK Ties
The parliamentarians shared their perspectives on other matters of common interest and reaffirmed their commitment to further cementing ties between Pakistan and the United Kingdom. The meeting underscored the vital role of the Pakistani diaspora in bridging the two nations.
