Holds wide-ranging talks in UK to deepen partnership.
ISLAMABAD - The country is ‘running well’, witnessing stability and economic improvement so there is no need for a 27th Constitutional Amendment, said Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Monday.
Even though the 26th Amendment remains mired in controversy, the power corridors in Islamabad have been abuzz with talk of a possible 27th Constitutional Amendment, which, according to insiders, would further ‘fine-tune’ the structure and functioning of superior judiciary.
Speaking to reporters in London during a visit to the United Kingdom, the deputy PM said: “We are still digesting the 26th Constitutional Amendment, so there is no need for a 27th right now. The country is running well. There is stability and economic improvement. “We are putting our full attention towards GDP growth and development. Under [Prime Minister] Shehbaz Sharif’s leadership, all efforts are being made.” Dar added that under the leadership of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif in 2017, Pakistan was “the 24th-biggest economy” and added that the government was working to bring the economy back to that point.
“We are headed that way very quickly, and we are getting ready to become part of the G20,” Dar said.
Separately, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar yesterday undertook an intensive round of diplomatic engagements in London, where he met with senior British officials and parliamentarians of Pakistani origin to consolidate and further expand the multifaceted relationship between Pakistan and the United Kingdom. At the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), Senator Dar held talks with the UK’s Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Middle East, Afghanistan, and Pakistan, Hamish Falconer.
The discussions covered the full spectrum of bilateral relations, with both sides reaffirming their determination to strengthen cooperation in political, economic, climate, trade, and people-to-people spheres, the Foreign Office said. The meeting also provided an opportunity to exchange views on pressing regional and global developments. Senator Dar reiterated Pakistan’s strong commitment to pursuing meaningful economic reforms aimed at ensuring stability and growth, while also sharing Pakistan’s perspectives on South Asian security dynamics. He emphasized that lasting regional peace and stability remained closely tied to a just and peaceful settlement of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, in line with relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions.
The two leaders reviewed the positive trajectory of Pakistan-UK relations in recent years and expressed satisfaction over ongoing collaboration in priority areas. They underlined the need for maintaining regular high-level exchanges in order to build on the existing momentum and to open new avenues for strategic partnership.
In a separate series of meetings, Senator Dar engaged with British Members of Parliament of Pakistani origin, including Mohammad Yasin, Tahir Ali, Imran Hussain, Ayoub Khan, and Adnan Hussain. These interactions highlighted the growing influence of the Pakistani diaspora within the United Kingdom’s political and social landscape. The Deputy Prime Minister underscored the deep-rooted historical and cultural bonds between Pakistan and the UK, noting the nearly 1.6 million-strong Pakistani diaspora in Britain serves as a vital bridge between the two nations. He appreciated the diaspora’s role in fostering mutual understanding, cultural exchanges, economic linkages, and robust people-to-people connections, which continue to reinforce bilateral relations.
Dar reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to enhancing parliamentary exchanges with the United Kingdom, pointing out that such interactions allow both countries to share experiences in democratic governance, draw on international best practices, and strengthen core democratic values. He stressed that these exchanges were essential for the growth, resilience, and stability of democratic institutions on both sides.
The DPM also commended the proactive efforts of British parliamentarians of Pakistani heritage in raising awareness about the human rights violations and atrocities in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). He praised their advocacy within the UK Parliament and their role in increasing public awareness across Britain regarding the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the region.
Dar conveyed Pakistan’s appreciation for this continued support, stressing that the plight of the Kashmiri people required greater international attention and consistent efforts to uphold human rights and international law.