ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: The newly-appointed British High Commissioner to Pakistan Thomas Drew has said that the United Kingdom highly values its relationship with Pakistan, and believes that Pakistan has a pivotal role to play in the peace, stability and development of the region.
His remarks came when he held separate meetings with Federal Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan and Federal Finance Minister Senator Muhammad Ishaq Dar in Islamabad on Monday.
In his meeting with the interior minister, the British envoy discussed matters of mutual interest. They also exchanged views on bilateral ties, security issues and collaboration between the two countries in curbing human trafficking and organized crimes.
The British High Commissioner also discussed ways and means to further enhance bilateral cooperation between Pakistan and UK with Ishaq Dar.
Ishaq Dar welcomed the newly appointed High Commissioner and said that he hoped that his current appointment to Pakistan would play an important role in further improving the bilateral relations between Pakistan and UK.
The envoy said that it was his second appointment in Pakistan and he felt very happy and privileged in his new position.
Thomas Drew said that the government of Pakistan has been able to bring about visible improvements in the economic environment in the country as well as the security situation. He said that these improvements would go a long way in attracting foreign investors to invest in the country.
The finance minister informed the British High Commissioner that the government was focusing on economic growth and creation of more job opportunities for the people. He said that foreign investment could play a key role in the process and the government therefore welcomed foreign investors.
Ishaq Dar appreciated Department for International Development (DfID), UK’s support for the social sector in Pakistan in the form of grant projects for health, agriculture, disaster management and poverty alleviation.
The minister hoped that the bilateral cooperation in various fields would further increase during the tenure of High Commissioner Thomas Drew in the mutual interest of both the countries.
