ISLAMABAD - Pakistan and the United Kingdom are set to deepen bilateral collaboration with a packed agenda of political, economic, and community-focused meetings. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar is already on an official visit to London from August 17-19 with a constructive schedule.
During his stay, Dar will meet with UK Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Pakistan Hamish Falconer, and hold a breakfast meeting with Commonwealth Secretary-General Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, the Foreign Office said. The discussions are expected to cover a wide range of issues, including trade, governance reform, climate resilience, and people-to-people ties.
A key highlight of the visit will be the inauguration of the Punjab Land Record Authority’s digital project, piloted at the Pakistan High Commission in London. The initiative is designed to help overseas Pakistanis resolve land documentation issues remotely, sparing them from lengthy and costly procedures back home. With the UK hosting one of the largest Pakistani diaspora, more than 1.6 million people, the program is expected to provide significant relief to expatriates who often face prolonged disputes relating to property ownership and inheritance.
Dar will also interact with British parliamentarians, Kashmiri leaders, and representatives of the British-Pakistani community. His visit comes at a time of renewed commitment by both sides to strengthen bilateral cooperation.
Yesterday, UK Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs David Lammy called Dar to express condolences over the loss of lives in the recent floods across Pakistan. He reaffirmed Britain’s solidarity and assured continued support in relief and rehabilitation efforts.
The UK has long been one of Pakistan’s largest European trading, investment, and development partners. Its cooperation spans education, health, governance reform, and climate resilience. According to the British High Commission, a recently concluded Sub-National Governance Program, backed by the UK between 2019 and 2025, unlocked over $2.41 billion in public resources in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa by improving planning, budgeting, and revenue mobilization. These savings were reinvested into public services ranging from social protection to municipal waste management.
“Strong partnerships can drive long-term reform and transform people’s lives,” British High Commission Development Director Sam Waldock said this week, highlighting the tangible benefits of Pakistan-UK cooperation.
Last month, the two countries had also launched a UK-Pakistan Business Advisory Council during the inaugural UK-Pakistan Trade Dialogue in London. The council will serve as a platform for senior business leaders and officials to promote commercial opportunities, advise on policy reform, and address market access challenges.
With Dar’s visit underscoring Islamabad’s intent to forge stronger ties, both governments appear committed to building on a relationship rooted in shared history, regular high-level exchanges, and strong people-to-people linkages.