London: Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar assured that the Pakistani government will resolutely guard against any forces, either domestic or foreign, that threaten to disrupt the nation’s developmental progress. His remarks came during an engagement with British-Pakistani Members of Parliament at a dinner hosted by High Commissioner Dr. Mohammad Faisal at Pakistan House in London.
According to Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Dar expressed a firm stance against collaborating with factions that have undermined state institutions or used international platforms to harm Pakistan’s interests. He reinforced the government’s commitment to continuing the economic policies initiated in 2017, which he claimed are now yielding positive outcomes. Inflation has been reduced to single digits, and the current account deficit is under control, with the currency stabilizing.
During the meeting, Dar highlighted significant improvements in Pakistan’s economy, citing broad institutional support for ongoing economic reforms and the active role of the Special Investment Facilitation Council in attracting foreign investment in key sectors like energy, mining, IT, and agriculture. He solicited suggestions on enhancing British foreign direct investment and increasing bilateral trade.
The Deputy Prime Minister also emphasized the importance of maintaining cultural ties for young British-Pakistanis, noting the government’s implementation of a visa-free policy to facilitate their visits to Pakistan. Furthermore, he provided an overview of the government’s economic roadmap and referenced the successes and challenges during the tenure of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, including the containment of terrorism and economic growth that was later disrupted by political instability.
The dinner saw the participation of notable British MPs of Pakistani descent, including the Deputy Speaker House of Commons Nusrat Ghani and others. Dar praised the strong historical and cultural bonds between Pakistan and the UK, acknowledging the significant representation of British-Pakistanis in the UK Parliament as a testament to the robustness of British democracy.
In conclusion, Dar thanked the British parliamentarians for their advocacy on behalf of the people in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir and Gaza, reiterating Pakistan’s commitment to peace, security, and development in the region.