ISLAMABAD, NOV 19 /DNA/ – Deputy Prime Minister / Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar today received Hamish Falconer, the UK Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan and Pakistan). They reviewed the entire gamut of bilateral relations and discussed regional issues of common interest.

Deputy Prime Minister Dar and Parliamentary Under Secretary Falconer noted the strong convergence between Pakistan and the United Kingdom on a wide range of bilateral and regional issues. They reaffirmed the importance of strong Pakistan-UK relations and underscored the shared interest in promoting cooperation in trade, investment and climate action.

The Deputy Prime Minister emphasized the importance of transforming the close relationship between the two countries into an enhanced strategic partnership, commensurate with the rich history of Pakistan-UK cooperation and in line with the aspirations of the 1.7 million-strong British Pakistani community.

The Deputy Prime Minister also briefed the Parliamentary Under Secretary Falconer on Pakistan’s perspective on Afghanistan and the evolving situation in South Asia. He stressed that the resolution of longstanding disputes, including the core Jammu and Kashmir dispute, was critical to achieving lasting peace and stability in South Asia.

Parliamentary Under Secretary Falconer thanked the Deputy Prime Minister for receiving him and underlined the importance accorded by the United Kingdom to its relations with Pakistan. He added that the UK was looking forward to working with Pakistan at the UN Security Council.