ISLAMABAD: British Minister for the Armed Forces, James Stephen Heappey MP, alongwith delegation called on Secretary Defence, Lieutenant General (R) Mian Muhammad Hilal Hussain and appreciated Pakistan’ efforts for peace and said Pakistan has played a key role in the war against terrorism.
The British Minister visited the Ministry of Defence alongwith a delegation here, said a news release.
Secretary Defence Lieutenant General (R) Hilal Hussain said the UK has a unique position and has a pivotal role to play within the EU region. Therefore, Pakistan highly valued it’s bilateral relationship with the UK, he added.
“The common and a shared objective for maintaining global peace and security cement their bilateral relationship” he added. Pak-UK relations have a long history of multi-dimensional cooperation ranging from commerce and trade to peace and security.
Pakistan is not only committed to maintaining global peace and security but has also played a phenomenal active role over the last two decades in this regard”.
Secretary Defence said that economic development was vital for survival of a nation. Therefore, Pakistan desired to improve its trade linkages with the world, he added.
“Pakistan’ economic endeavors are very peaceful and projects like CPEC do not have any military connotations. Rather the Project will contribute towards peace, stability and economic connectivity in the region.”
During the meeting both sides not only discussed matters related to bilateral defence collaborations but also agreed to work closely in all domains of mutual interest. Additionally, they agreed to enhance interaction at all levels.
Meanwhile, Foreign Secretary Sohail Mahmood Tuesday said that Pakistan attached high importance to its relations with the United Kingdom and was committed to elevating it to newer levels.
The foreign secretary received Minister for Armed Forces of the UK James Heappey at the Foreign Office. The talks covered bilateral relations as well as regional and international developments.
Stressing the historic and long-standing nature of Pakistan-UK partnership, the foreign secretary reiterated Pakistan’s resolve to further deepen cooperation across myriad dimensions — including trade, investment, security, defence, culture and people-to-people linkages.
Sohail Mahmood especially highlighted the role of Pakistani diaspora in UK and its valuable contribution to the further advancement of bilateral relations.
The foreign secretary reaffirmed Pakistan’s strong commitment to playing a positive role in promoting regional peace and security. He emphasized the need for the international community to play its role in addressing the dire humanitarian situation.
In the context of South Asia, the foreign secretary stressed the importance of strategic stability and peaceful resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute.
Minister Heappey reaffirmed the importance of UK-Pakistan partnership and UK’s desire to expand bilateral cooperation.
He appreciated Pakistan’s cooperation with the international community, and UK in particular, following the August 2021 developments in Afghanistan. He thanked Pakistan for its facilitation on evacuations from Afghanistan.
The two sides agreed to maintain the momentum of high-level exchanges, especially in this 75th anniversary year of Pakistan-UK diplomatic relations. –Agencies
