Pakistan and UK Restart Development Dialogue After Eight Years
Pakistan and the United Kingdom resumed high-level development talks on Wednesday for the first time in eight years, marking a renewed phase of cooperation amid record bilateral trade of £5.5 billion.
Federal Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb met UK Minister for Development Baroness Chapman in Islamabad to discuss Pakistan’s economic reform agenda and opportunities for deeper collaboration. British High Commissioner Jane Marriott also joined the meeting. Officials said the revival of ministerial-level dialogue shows growing confidence in Pakistan’s economic direction and reflects stronger engagement between the two countries.
Focus on Reforms and Economic Partnership
During their discussion, both sides reviewed Pakistan’s current reform measures and broader development goals. They also explored how to expand cooperation in trade, investment, climate resilience, and long-term growth.
Aurangzeb thanked the UK for supporting Pakistan at the IMF, which helped complete recent programme reviews. He briefed the delegation on progress in stabilising the economy and advancing reforms in taxation, energy, state-owned enterprises, public finance management, and privatisation.
He also outlined work underway to improve the energy sector, strengthen debt management, streamline the public sector, reform pensions, and protect social sector spending while restoring fiscal discipline.
Education and Research Links Deepen
Earlier in the day, Baroness Chapman and Education Minister Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui launched the new phase of the Pak-UK Education Gateway, a joint initiative of the British Council and the Higher Education Commission.
The programme aims to strengthen academic collaboration, especially in areas linked to climate change and economic development. Its next phase introduces a start-up fund to support research commercialisation and widens access to UK university programmes for Pakistani students through distance-learning pathways.
Strengthening Governance and Social Development
The two sides also discussed Pakistan’s devolved governance system and highlighted the need for strong coordination between federal and provincial governments. Key areas of focus included investment in health and education, population management, and climate resilience.
They further addressed challenges related to women’s economic empowerment, demographic pressures, and policy options for family planning and social protection.
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