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UK senior Foreign Office minister Baroness Warsi visits Pakistan

During the visit Baroness Warsi called on the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, Pakistan Finance Minister Ishaq Dar and Imran Khan, Chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf.

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Warsi

UK Senior Foreign Office Minister Baroness Warsi has arrived in Pakistan for her second visit in three months, accompanied by a trade mission of leading UK businesses. During the visit Baroness Warsi called on the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, Pakistan Finance Minister Ishaq Dar and Imran Khan, Chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf.

Discussions throughout the day focussed on trade and the economy and building partnerships between Pakistan and the UK in areas such as energy, security, education and retail.

During her meeting with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Baroness Warsi said:

The UK and Pakistan already have so many strong connections that bind our people together. During this visit I am especially keen to see the economic ties between our countries strengthened.

Britain and Pakistan share common interests and common threats. It is in our mutual interests to work together on a broad range of issues, from education and culture to economic reform, development and security.

A strong, prosperous and democratic Pakistan is vital for the security of the country and the region. We are looking forward to further strengthening the unbreakable partnership between our two countries.

In a separate meeting with Pakistan Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, Baroness Warsi said:

The UK is investing in Pakistan’s future. This visit is a sign of the UK’s commitment to the longstanding partnership between our two countries.

Our visit reflects the UK’s commitment to increase the volume of trade with Pakistan to £3 billion by 2015. Increasing trade will help create jobs and boost employment for people across Pakistan and in the UK, making our countries more prosperous and secure.

Baroness Warsi also met Zahid Hamid, Pakistan Minister for Privatization and Investment and Sartaj Aziz, Adviser to the Prime Minister on National Security and Foreign Affairs to discuss Pakistan-UK joint cooperation in trade and regional stability. She hosted a reception for the Members of Pakistan Parliament.

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Contact: British High Commission, Islamabad; tel. 0300 500 5306

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Published 3 October 2013