Pakistan ready for meaningful dialogue with India, says PM Shehbaz

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has reiterated that Pakistan is ready for a meaningful dialogue with India on all outstanding issues as he praised UK’s role in defusing tensions during Pakistan-India conflict, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

The prime minister said this while talking to British High Commissioner Ms Jane Marriott, who called on him at the PM House in Islamabad on Wednesday.

During the meeting, PM Shehbaz Sharif conveyed his warm wishes for King Charles III and Prime Minister Keir Starmer and said he looked forward to his meeting with the UK leadership later this year.

Shehbaz Sharif also welcomed the UK government's recent decision to resume PIA flights to and from the UK. He added that this would go a long way in alleviating the hardships faced by the British Pakistani community as well as enhancing people-to-people exchanges. He particularly appreciated the role of the High Commissioner in this regard.

On Pakistan-UK relations, the Prime Minister expressed satisfaction at the positive trajectory of bilateral cooperation and said that the recently held trade talks between the two countries would lead to mutually beneficial opportunities for both sides. He said Pakistan is also cooperating closely with the UK at the UN Security Council, where Pakistan currently holds the monthly Presidency.

The regional situation in South Asia and the Middle East was also discussed. The Prime Minister expressed his appreciation for the UK's role in de-escalation of tensions during the Pakistan-India standoff.

The UK High Commissioner thanked the Prime Minister for receiving her and briefed him about her recent visit to London, where she had extensive consultations on enhancing Pakistan-UK bilateral ties.

She lauded the Government's economic performance in the last year and a half, under the vision and leadership of the Prime Minister, which had brought about a significant improvement in all key macro-economic indicators. She also shared with the Prime Minister, the UK's perspective on regional developments in South Asia and the Middle East.

Reporter Awais Kiyani