ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has expressed the hope that the Pakistan-UK Enhanced Strategic Dialogue would help deepen bilateral engagement between the two sides in a range of mutually beneficial areas.

He was talking to UK Minister for Armed Forces, James Heappey, who called on him here in Islamabad on Wednesday. Emphasizing that Pakistan and the UK enjoy a long-standing partnership which is grounded in historic connections and abiding people-to-people linkages, he expressed the desire to further enhance trade and investment ties between the two countries.

Noting that the two countries would be marking the 75th anniversary of the establishment of their diplomatic relations this year, the Prime Minister hoped that the occasion will be commemorated in a befitting manner and provide new impetus to further advancing Pakistan-UK cooperation in the years ahead.

The Prime Minister also stressed the importance of a peaceful and stable Afghanistan, while highlighting the importance and urgency of taking necessary steps to avert humanitarian crisis in that country. He underscored that the wellbeing of 40 million Afghans should be a key priority. On Ukraine, the Prime Minister urged the international community to remain engaged in the search for a diplomatic solution, in accordance with the relevant international law and the UN Charter.

The Prime Minister also highlighted the serious situation in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). Underlining Pakistan’s commitment to promote peace in the region, including with India, the Prime Minister stressed the importance of a peaceful resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions and the wishes of the Kashmiri people. The visiting UK Minister reciprocated the Prime Minister’s sentiments to further augment the historic relationship between the two countries, especially in the trade and investment sectors.