Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday called for wider trade and economic cooperation between Pakistan and the United Kingdom. He said the long-standing friendship between the two countries could support a stronger economic partnership. He made the remarks at a reception held at the British High Commission in Islamabad to mark the birthday of King Charles III.
Shehbaz congratulated the king and members of the royal family, praising the monarch’s lifelong dedication to public service. He said Pakistan and Britain enjoyed friendly relations, with considerable scope to expand bilateral trade and cooperation.
Trade figures, diaspora and renewed flights
Shehbaz said bilateral trade had reached about £5.5 billion. He also said around 1.7 million British citizens of Pakistani origin served as a strong link between the two nations.
He added that the return of direct flights after a six-year gap would deepen contacts between people and businesses. According to the prime minister, Pakistan International Airlines had resumed services from Islamabad and Lahore to London’s Heathrow Airport.
Cricket, historic ties and regional diplomacy
The prime minister described cricket as another bond, noting that Pakistan and England compete hard on the field while keeping good relations off it. He recalled a recent match between the two teams in Lahore, pointing to a record last-wicket partnership between Shadab Khan and Haris Rauf that turned the game.
Shehbaz also referred to the historical and intellectual links between Britain and Pakistan’s founder, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, as well as the poet-philosopher Allama Muhammad Iqbal. On regional affairs, he stressed that dialogue should take priority over confrontation.
He said Pakistan had played a constructive role in facilitating talks between the United States and Iran, and would keep pursuing diplomatic efforts for peace and stability. Shehbaz also thanked Britain for supporting Pakistan’s diplomatic initiatives aimed at regional calm.
Praise for outgoing envoy Jane Marriott
Shehbaz praised outgoing British High Commissioner Jane Marriott for strengthening economic and diplomatic relations between Islamabad and London. He described her as a trusted bridge between the two countries and wished her well for the future.
Marriott said the attendance of the prime minister and deputy prime minister reflected the strength of bilateral ties. She thanked the Pakistani leadership for its efforts and said she had been moved by the hospitality of the Pakistani people. “Every city in Pakistan has its own beauty and flavour,” she said.
She said the two countries were connected through their people, businesses and successive generations, and noted that Pakistan was Britain’s third-largest bilateral trading partner. Both sides, she said, wanted to turn their existing trade relationship into further opportunities.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar and other officials attended the event, where a birthday cake was cut.
