ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar will undertake an official visit to the United Kingdom from August 24 to 28, where he is scheduled to meet senior British officials and representatives of the Pakistani community, the Foreign Office said on Sunday.
According to the FO, Dar will hold a meeting with UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband and Stephen Doughty, the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office’s Minister of State for Pakistan.
The deputy prime minister is also expected to meet other senior members of the British government during the visit.
The meetings are likely to focus on matters of bilateral cooperation and other issues of mutual interest between Pakistan and the United Kingdom.
Pakistani crew held by Somali pirates to be discussed
A key issue on Dar’s agenda will be the case of Pakistani crew members being held by Somali pirates.
The Foreign Office said he will meet the Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) to discuss efforts concerning the Pakistani sailors aboard the MT Honour 25 oil tanker.
The vessel, carrying 17 crew members, including 10 Pakistanis, was hijacked near Somalia’s semi-autonomous Puntland region on April 21.
The families of the hostages have expressed increasing concern over the situation, saying that conditions on board the vessel have deteriorated during the crew’s prolonged captivity.
Pakistan’s Foreign Office has reiterated that the government is committed to securing the release of Pakistani nationals being held by the pirates.
Pakistan Working to Secure Release of Crew Held by Somali Pirates, Says FO
Meeting with Commonwealth chief also planned
During his UK visit, Dar will also meet Commonwealth Secretary-General Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, according to the Foreign Office.
In addition, he is expected to engage with British parliamentarians and members of the British-Pakistani community.
The visit highlights the importance Pakistan places on its longstanding relationship with the United Kingdom, where a large Pakistani-origin community continues to play a significant role in social, economic and political life.
Cooperation against crime and illegal migration
Dar’s visit also comes about two months after the United Kingdom announced an additional £8 million to support joint efforts with Pakistan against crime and illegal migration.
The commitment was confirmed on June 16 by the British High Commission after UK Minister for the Middle East, Afghanistan and Pakistan Hamish Falconer visited Islamabad.
According to the British High Commission, the funding is intended to strengthen border and visa systems and improve law enforcement capabilities against people-smuggling and human-trafficking networks.
The financial support will also assist with the return of individuals who do not have the legal right to remain in the United Kingdom.
Furthermore, part of the funding is expected to support community-based programmes in high-risk areas, with the aim of addressing some of the underlying causes of illegal migration.
Five-day visit to focus on key bilateral issues
The five-day visit will provide Dar an opportunity to engage with senior British officials on a range of political and security matters, while also highlighting the situation of the Pakistani crew members held aboard the MT Honour 25.
His planned meetings with the IMO leadership, Commonwealth officials, British parliamentarians and the Pakistani diaspora are expected to cover several aspects of Pakistan’s diplomatic engagement with the UK and international institutions.
The Foreign Office has not provided further details regarding the complete agenda or expected outcomes of the meetings.
