British envoy calls on Dar

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ISLAMABAD: British High Commissioner Thomas Drew accompanying Louise Walker Head of Department for International Development (DFID), Pakistan Friday called on Finance Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar.

The Finance Minister briefed the High Commissioner about their form and consolidation process Pakistan was passing through.

He said that the government objective was to achieve inclusion of the unserved people and assure sustainability of the current momentum of economic growth and consolidation.

He said that Pakistan had already made considerable progress in the areas of economy, energy, and security.

The minister appreciated Pakistan’s relations with the UK and hoped to strengthen them further.

The finance minister appreciated the development partnership with DFID and said he looked forward to continuing that partnership.

The British High Commissioner congratulated the finance minister on the successful completion of the IMF programme.

The High Commissioner stated that there was considerable untapped potential to increase bilateral trade and investment between Pakistan and the UK.

He assured Post-Brexit that the UK would maintain its facilitates offered to Pakistan and the economic ties would be further strengthened through deeper bilateral trade and investment agreements.

He said Pakistan had a sizeable market and the UK enjoyed strong political relations with Pakistan. Both the factors would enable Pakistan-UK trade talks to gain momentum.

The High Commissioner appreciated the structural reforms undertaken by the government in the energy and financial sectors.

Senior officials of the ministry of finance and economic affairs division attended the meeting.