DPM meets Commonwealth Secretary-General in UK

Islamabad: The Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, had a breakfast meeting with Commonwealth Secretary-General, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, in London Tuesday.

The Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister congratulated her on her appointment as the seventh Secretary-General of the Commonwealth and welcomed her leadership.

Reflecting on their earlier discussion at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Samoa, the Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister emphasized Pakistan’s deep commitment to the Commonwealth as a founding member and reaffirmed its steadfast support for the organization. He expressed confidence in the Commonwealth’s role as a vital platform for fostering shared values and building consensus among member states.

The DPM/FM assured the Secretary-General of Pakistan’s strong commitment to the Commonwealth’s Sustainable Development and Connectivity agendas. He underscored Pakistan’s intent to play a more active role in promoting intra-Commonwealth trade and development. Additionally, he underscored Pakistan’s acute vulnerability to climate change and sought the Commonwealth’s support in addressing this pressing challenge.

Underscoring Pakistan’s leadership in youth and gender initiatives, the DPM/FM noted Pakistan’s co-chairmanship of the Commonwealth Youth Task Force and its role in modernising the Commonwealth Youth Programme. He also expressed pride in Pakistan’s role as host of the Secretariat of the Commonwealth Asia Youth Alliance. He appreciated the Commonwealth’s support for Pakistani youth and hailed the recent signing of the landmark Letter of Intent between the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme, the Commonwealth Secretariat, and the British Esports Federation to collaboratively develop a vibrant Esports ecosystem in Pakistan.

The DPM/FM praised the Secretary-General’s efforts in formulating the 2025–2030 Commonwealth Strategic Plan and offered Pakistan’s full cooperation in advancing the shared goals of development, democracy, and resilience.

He also conveyed a warm invitation for Secretary General to visit Islamabad at her earliest convenience.

DPM Dar holds meeting with counterpart in UK

Islamabad: Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister of Pakistan, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, held a productive meeting today with the Deputy Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Angela Rayner, in London.

The meeting provided an opportunity to review the broad-based and longstanding partnership between Pakistan and the United Kingdom.

Both leaders reaffirmed their shared commitment to further strengthening bilateral cooperation in areas of mutual interest. They emphasized the importance of sustained high-level engagement and expressed satisfaction with the positive momentum in relations, driven by close people-to-people ties and growing collaboration across multiple domains.

Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister highlighted the contributions of the British Pakistani diaspora to the UK. He underscored Pakistan’s desire to build an inclusive and forward-looking partnership with the United Kingdom. He also extended an invitation to the Deputy Prime Minister Rayner to visit Islamabad at a mutually convenient time.