London: Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar has affirmed the Pakistani government’s commitment to enhancing support for the Pakistani diaspora and advancing significant reforms in national transportation. Speaking at a news conference in London, Dar outlined the government’s efforts to restore and privatize Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) and improve national infrastructure, underscoring the importance of these measures for Pakistanis living abroad.
According to Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Dar highlighted his productive discussions with UK leaders, focusing on the collaborative potential between the two nations and the specific issue of restoring PIA flights, which he noted as crucial for the diaspora. “The government will continue to engage with the international community until PIA’s flights are restored,” Dar stated, linking the restoration to broader efforts to privatize and enhance the national flag carrier’s performance.
The Deputy Prime Minister also mentioned the government’s move to outsource operations at Islamabad International Airport as part of broader structural reforms aimed at improving the country’s infrastructure and economic health. He emphasized the strategic importance of these reforms in driving development and progress in Pakistan.
Dar also discussed the significant role of the Pakistani diaspora in UK politics and proposed granting them parliamentary representation in Pakistan a change that would require a constitutional amendment and bipartisan support. “All political parties will have to evolve a common strategy in this regard,” he noted, signaling the complexity of such political reforms.
The Deputy Prime Minister concluded his remarks by underscoring Pakistan’s active role in addressing global issues such as Islamophobia, Kashmir, and Palestine at international forums. He called on the global community to support the implementation of United Nations decisions on these critical matters, highlighting the government’s commitment under Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to tackle these challenges through diplomatic channels and international cooperation.