DPM Dar reaches London ahead of official visit starting on Monday

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar touched down in London on Sunday evening, setting the stage for a five-day official visit slated from August 24th to 28th. Upon his arrival at Heathrow Airport, the deputy prime minister was greeted by Pakistan's High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Tipu Usman, alongside senior diplomatic officials.

The primary objective of his visit is to engage in high-level bilateral discussions with top British officials, focusing on reviewing and bolstering bilateral ties, as well as exploring opportunities for strengthened trade, economic, and regional cooperation. According to a Foreign Office handout, the Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister is slated to meet UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband, FCDO Minister of State for Pakistan Stephen Doughty, and other high-ranking UK government members during the trip.

Additionally, Dar will meet the Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization to address the predicament of Pakistani crew members held captive by Somali pirates on the MT Honour 25 oil tanker, and also hold a separate meeting with Commonwealth Secretary-General Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey. The Foreign Office further mentions that Dar will interact with British parliamentarians and representatives of the British-Pakistani community throughout the duration of his visit.