Ishaq Dar to visit UK from August 24-28

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar will travel to the United Kingdom on an official visit from August 24 to 28, where he is scheduled to hold talks with senior British officials and meet members of the Pakistani community.

According to the Foreign Office, Dar will meet UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband and FCDO Minister of State for Pakistan Stephen Doughty during his visit. He is also expected to hold discussions with other senior British government officials.

A key focus of the visit will be the situation of Pakistani sailors held by Somali pirates. Dar is scheduled to meet the secretary-general of the International Maritime Organisation to discuss efforts to secure the release of the hostages.

The MT Honour 25 oil tanker was hijacked near Somalia’s Puntland region on April 21. The vessel was carrying 17 crew members, including 10 Pakistani nationals.

The prolonged captivity has raised concerns among the families of the crew, who have called for urgent efforts to secure their safe release. The Foreign Office has reaffirmed that the government remains committed to bringing the Pakistani nationals home safely.

During his UK visit, Dar will also meet Commonwealth Secretary-General Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey. His schedule includes engagements with British parliamentarians and representatives of the British-Pakistani community.

The visit comes as Pakistan and the UK continue to strengthen cooperation on security, migration and law enforcement.

Earlier this year, the UK announced an additional £8 million in funding for joint efforts with Pakistan to tackle crime and illegal migration. The funding is intended to improve border and visa systems and strengthen law enforcement against human smuggling and trafficking networks.

It will also support the return of people who do not have the legal right to remain in the UK and finance community-based programmes aimed at addressing factors contributing to irregular migration.