Bilateral trade between Pakistan and the United Kingdom has reached approximately 5.5 billion pounds, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif said on November 13.
Addressing a ceremony at the British High Commission in Islamabad to celebrate the 78th birthday of His Majesty King Charles III, Sharif reaffirmed the commitment of both nations to strengthening bilateral trade, economic cooperation, and people-to-people contacts, Radio Pakistan reported.
The prime minister extended felicitations to King Charles III, Queen Camilla, and the people of the United Kingdom. He praised the monarch’s unwavering commitment to public service and global causes while highlighting the deep-rooted and enduring friendship between the two countries.
Sharif said that despite the current trade volume, both nations need to pursue much greater ambitions. He pointed out that Pakistan offers many opportunities for cooperation in technology, renewable energy, agriculture, minerals, and textiles, particularly given the country's renewed economic stability.
Turning to air connectivity, the prime minister said that Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) resumed direct flights from Islamabad and Lahore to Heathrow in March, restoring a vital link after six years.
He emphasized that the 1.7 million British citizens of Pakistani heritage serve as a strong bridge between the two countries.
British High Commissioner to Pakistan Jane Marriott expressed appreciation for the warm hospitality extended during her tenure. She said that Pakistan and the United Kingdom could further expand bilateral cooperation in education, culture, and trade, according to Radio Pakistan.
The diplomatic engagement follows recent high-level security discussions in Islamabad. On November 5, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and British Minister of State for Security Dan Jarvis reviewed bilateral relations, migration, and regional developments, Profit by Pakistan Today reported.
That meeting preceded the annual Pakistan-UK Counterterrorism Dialogue, where both countries agreed to deepen cooperation against emerging threats. During those talks, the UK side expressed condolences over lives lost in militant attacks in Pakistan’s western provinces, Arab News PK reported.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Security Minister Jarvis also agreed to finalize a memorandum of understanding on anti-narcotics cooperation to make collaboration between the UK’s National Crime Agency and Pakistan’s Anti-Narcotics Force fully operational, Geo News reported.
“Cybercrime is an international issue, and all countries must work together to effectively address it,” Jarvis said.
The next round of the Pakistan-UK Counter Terrorism Dialogue is scheduled to take place in London in 2027.
