ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif has expressed the country’s desire to further deepen ties with the United Kingdom.
The Defence Minister expressed these views during a meeting with British High Commissioner Jane Marriott, who called on him on Thursday, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Defence.
“The Defence Minister warmly welcomed the High Commissioner and expressed Pakistan’s desire to further deepen bilateral relations between the two countries,” it said.
The meeting provided an opportunity to exchange views on issues of mutual interest.
Both sides expressed a shared commitment to maintaining constructive engagement and further strengthening the longstanding partnership between Pakistan and the United Kingdom.
The United Kingdom and Pakistan share a longstanding and multifaceted relationship rooted in historical ties, strong people-to-people connections, and close cooperation across various sectors.
The partnership spans trade, education, defence, climate resilience, and counterterrorism, with both countries maintaining regular high-level engagements to advance areas of mutual interest.
The Pakistani diaspora in the United Kingdom serves as a vital bridge between the two nations, contributing significantly to cultural exchange and economic cooperation.
The UK has also appreciated Pakistan’s constructive role in regional diplomacy, including its ongoing efforts to facilitate dialogue and de-escalation in the broader region.
Pakistan has continued diplomatic efforts to facilitate dialogue between Tehran and Washington and to de-escalate the ongoing conflict through diplomacy and dialogue.
Pakistan brokered a ceasefire between Tehran and Washington on April 8 that halted the war involving the United States, Israel, and Iran.
On April 11, Pakistan hosted high-stakes direct talks between the US and Iranian negotiators in Islamabad.
The Islamabad Talks concluded without a final agreement; however, they paved the way for further negotiations between Washington and Tehran to permanently resolve the conflict.
The war started after the US and Israel launched strikes on Iran on February 28, prompting retaliatory action from Tehran against Israel and the Gulf countries.
The confrontation also contributed to disruptions in maritime traffic around the Strait of Hormuz.
