Interior Minister meets with Lord Tariq Ahmad, UK’s Minister

Interior Minister meets with Lord Tariq Ahmad, UK’s Minister of State for Commonwealth and UN Enhancing the role of Commonwealth discussed

Mr Ahsan Iqbal, Interior Minister of Pakistan, who is on an official visit to the UK, met with Lord Tariq Ahmad, UK’s Minister of State for Commonwealth and UN, in London today. A wide range of bilateral relations pertaining to enhancing the role of Commonwealth, development cooperation, bilateral trade and diaspora came under discussion. Acting High Commissioner Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri accompanied the Minister.

The Interior Minister apprised Lord Ahmad that Pakistan was looking forward to high level participation in the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in London this year. He added that Pakistan, as a founding member of the Commonwealth, shares and promotes its core values of democracy, human rights and peace. However, the Minister emphasized on the need to further enhancing the role of the organisation in future, particularly in the area of intra-Commonwealth trade.

Both sides expressed satisfaction over excellent bilateral relations between the two countries. Minister Ahsan Iqbal said that Pakistan greatly appreciates UK’s development assistance to Pakistan for the uplift of its socio-economic sectors.

Appreciating the role of Pakistani diaspora in the UK, the two sides said that the British Pakistanis serve as a strong bridge between our two countries and people.

Lord Ahmad said that the UK government would continue its support for the socio-economic development of Pakistan.

It was agreed that the two countries would continue to work together for further strengthening the bilateral relations.