Pakistan, UK agree to step up teamwork in diverse sectors

ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi and Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, United Kingdom’s (UK) Minister of State for Commonwealth and United Nations (UN) at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, on Monday expressed their satisfaction at the current level of bilateral interaction and agreed to further intensify cooperation in diverse fields.

The foreign minister during a meeting underlined the need for increased cooperation in trade, investment and education spheres. He acknowledged assistance of UK’s Department for International Development (DFID) for advancement of education and health sectors in Pakistan. He appreciated the invaluable contribution made by the Pakistani diaspora in the UK, especially in deepening people-to-people contacts.

Qureshi also briefed him on the immense potential and opportunities for tourism in Pakistan and steps taken by the government to promote this sector. He highlighted the grave situation of human rights violations perpetrated by the security forces in the Indian occupied Jammu and Kashmir.

Lord Ahmad lauded the government’s reform agenda in socioeconomic sectors and recognised the improved security situation in the country. He briefed on the prospects of post-Brexit trade and assured his government’s continued support in this regard. He also stressed the need to further intensify cooperation at the multilateral fora, including at the UN and the Commonwealth of Nations, in particular in the fields of cyber-security, environment and human rights.

Lord Ahmad expressed desire to work closely with the Pakistan and its diaspora in the UK to further deepen the bilateral ties.