Islamabad (TDI): British High Commissioner to Pakistan, Jane Marriott, met with Pakistan’s Minister for Defense, Khawaja Muhammad Asif, to discuss a range of bilateral issues, with a focus on defense cooperation and regional security.
The meeting was marked by mutual expressions of goodwill and a shared desire to strengthen the longstanding relationship between the two countries.
Minister Asif extended a warm welcome to the British envoy, underscoring Pakistan’s commitment to deepening ties with the United Kingdom across multiple sectors.
According to an official statement, the two sides engaged in a comprehensive exchange of views on matters of mutual interest.
Regional security challenges, particularly those impacting South Asia and beyond, were discussed in depth. Both officials reaffirmed the importance of continued cooperation in defense and strategic affairs, highlighting the role such collaboration plays in promoting regional stability.
“Pakistan values its historic relationship with the United Kingdom,” said Minister Asif. “We look forward to building on our shared interests and expanding our partnership, especially in areas that contribute to peace and security in the region.”
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High Commissioner Marriott echoed these sentiments, expressing the UK’s willingness to enhance cooperation with Pakistan. She noted the progress made in defense collaboration and emphasized the UK’s interest in further expanding strategic engagement.
In addition to defense matters, the two officials also discussed civilian connectivity, particularly focusing on increasing the number of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flights to the UK.
They also considered the inclusion of additional airlines to improve air connectivity between the two countries; a move that would not only support people-to-people ties but also benefit trade and tourism.
The meeting concluded on a positive note, with both sides expressing satisfaction over the ongoing collaboration and committing to maintaining a constructive and forward-looking dialogue.
The shared understanding reached during the talks is expected to pave the way for new initiatives and reinforce the strong bilateral relationship that the UK and Pakistan have nurtured over the decades.
Sohail Majeed
Sohail Majeed is a Special Correspondent at The Diplomatic Insight. He has twelve plus years of experience in journalism & reporting. He covers International Affairs, Diplomacy, UN, Sports, Climate Change, Economy, Technology, and Health.
