Dar advocates strong ties with UK

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar on Thursday met the Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government of the United Kingdom Ms Angela Rayner.

Deputy Prime Minister Dar, who is on official visit to the UK, congratulated Ms Rayner on her appointment as the British Deputy Prime Minister. He underscored the importance of a strong Pakistan-UK partnership for furthering the two countries' shared interests in the bilateral and regional domains.

Meanwhile, Dar on Thursday reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to the Commonwealth and readiness to play an active role in promoting intra-Commonwealth trade and advancing the Commonwealth agenda on sustainable development.

The deputy prime minister, in a meeting with Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland KC at Marlborough House Headquarters during his official visit here, highlighted Pakistan's role in spearheading the Commonwealth's youth agenda.