DPM Dar to undertake official UK visit from August 24-28: FO

• DPM Dar to hold meeting with UK foreign secretary: FO.
• Meetings with senior UK govt members also planned: FO
• DPM Dar to engage with British-Pakistani community: FO.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar is scheduled to undertake an official visit to the United Kingdom from August 24 to 28, where he will hold meetings with British officials and the Pakistani community, the Foreign Office said on Sunday.

During the visit, DPM Dar will meet UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband and FCDO Minister of State for Pakistan Stephen Doughty, as well as other senior members of the UK government, the FO said in a statement.

The Foreign Office said that Dar will also meet the International Maritime Organisation secretary-general to discuss the issue of Pakistani crew members held by Somali pirates aboard the MT Honour 25 oil tanker.

The MT Honour 25, carrying 17 crew members, including 10 Pakistanis, was hijacked by pirates near Somalia’s semi-autonomous Puntland region on April 21.

Families of the hostages have since voiced growing alarm, saying conditions on board have steadily deteriorated during the crew’s captivity.

The Foreign Office later said that the government was committed to securing the release of Pakistani nationals held by Somali pirates.

Meanwhile, the FO said in a statement that the deputy prime minister will also meet Commonwealth Secretary-General Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey during his UK visit.

He will also engage with British parliamentarians and representatives of the British-Pakistani community, it said.

The visit comes around two months after the UK committed an additional £8 million to support joint efforts with Pakistan to combat crime and illegal migration.

In a statement on June 16, the British High Commission confirmed the commitment made by UK Minister for the Middle East, Afghanistan and Pakistan, Hamish Falconer, during his visit to Islamabad.

According to the statement, the funding was aimed at strengthening border and visa systems and enhancing law enforcement capabilities against people smuggling and trafficking networks.

The British High Commission said that the funding will also support the return of individuals with no right to remain in the UK and fund community based programmes in high risk areas to address the root causes of illegal migration.