Dar Arrives in UK for Official Visit
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar arrived in the United Kingdom on Sunday, ahead of an official visit scheduled from August 24 to 28. According to the Foreign Office, he was received at Heathrow Airport by Pakistan's High Commissioner to the UK. Reports differ on which diplomat met him: Dawn named Tipu Usman, while The Nation named Tehmina Janjua.
The visit, confirmed by the Foreign Office in a social media post on X, will see Dar hold a series of high-level meetings with British government officials, parliamentarians, and representatives of the British-Pakistani community.
Key Meetings and Agenda
Dar is scheduled to meet UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband and Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) Minister of State for Pakistan Stephen Doughty, along with other senior members of the UK government. The Foreign Office said the visit is expected to provide an opportunity to review the entire spectrum of bilateral relations and exchange views on matters of mutual interest.
A central focus of the trip will be the situation of Pakistani crew members held by Somali pirates aboard the oil tanker MT Honour 25. Dar will meet the Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) to discuss the crew members' safety and efforts to secure their release, as stated by the Foreign Office.
The tanker was seized by pirates off Somalia's Puntland region on April 21, carrying 17 crew members, including 10 Pakistani nationals. The prolonged captivity has raised concern among the families of the detained Pakistanis, who have reportedly worried about worsening conditions aboard. The Foreign Office has reiterated the government's commitment to securing the safe release of the Pakistani nationals.
Dar will also meet Commonwealth Secretary-General Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, with discussions expected to cover matters relating to the Commonwealth and issues of mutual interest.
Broader Bilateral Context
The visit comes amid ongoing efforts by Pakistan and the UK to strengthen cooperation on security, law enforcement, and migration. In July, the two countries agreed to intensify bilateral trade engagement and strengthen business-to-business cooperation, with discussions on upgrading an existing Trade Dialogue into a more structured economic and trade framework. In June, they agreed to enhance cooperation in counterterrorism, combating illegal migration and human smuggling, institutional collaboration, and police training. This understanding was reached when Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi met British Minister of State for the Middle East, South Asia and the UN Hamish Falconer.
In June, the British High Commission announced an additional £8 million in funding for joint initiatives with Pakistan, aimed at strengthening border and visa systems, improving law enforcement against human smuggling and trafficking, supporting the return of people without the right to remain in the UK, and assisting communities vulnerable to illegal migration.
Perspectives
Pakistani Government
The Foreign Office frames the visit as a routine diplomatic engagement to advance Pakistan's priorities, with an emphasis on bilateral ties, trade, and the welfare of Pakistani nationals abroad. It has reiterated its commitment to securing the safe release of the crew members of the MT Honour 25.
Affected Families
Families of the detained Pakistani sailors have expressed concern over the prolonged captivity and reportedly worsening conditions aboard the vessel, as noted in BOL News reporting. The government has acknowledged these worries, underscoring the visit's focus on the issue.