Interior Minister meets Lord Tarid Ahmad UK’s minister of state for commonwealth and UN enhancing the role of commonwealth discussed

LONDON,Feb 12 (APP):Ahsan Iqbal, Interior Minister of Pakistan, who
is on an official visit to the UK, met with Lord Tariq Ahmad, UK’s Minister of
State for Commonwealth and UN, in London today.
A wide range of bilateral relations pertaining to enhancing the role of Commonwealth,
development cooperation, bilateral trade and diaspora came under discussion. Acting High
Commissioner Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri accompanied the Minister.
According to a statement issued by the Pakistan High Commission here Monday night,the
Interior Minister apprised Lord Ahmad that Pakistan was looking forward to high level participation
in the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in London this year.
He added that Pakistan, as a founding member of the Commonwealth, shares and promotes
its core values of democracy, human rights and peace.
However, the Minister emphasized on the need to further enhancing the role of the organisation in
future, particularly in the area of intra-Commonwealth trade.
Both sides expressed satisfaction over excellent bilateral relations between the two countries. Minister Ahsan Iqbal said that Pakistan greatly appreciates UK’s development assistance to Pakistan
for the uplift of its socio-economic sectors.
Appreciating the role of Pakistani diaspora in the
UK, the two sides said that the British Pakistanis serve as a strong bridge
between our two countries and people.
Lord Ahmad said that the UK government would continue its support for the socio-economic development of Pakistan.
It was agreed that the two countries would continue to work together for further strengthening
the bilateral relations.