Pakistan-UK talks put 1.7m diaspora at heart of growth agenda

July 15, 2025 (MLN): Pakistan and the United Kingdom have agreed to strengthen cooperation in trade, investment and urban development, with a strong focus on leveraging the 1.7 million-strong Pakistani diaspora in the UK to drive inclusive economic growth.

The two sides also discussed technical collaboration in affordable housing, smart cities and local government innovation, while affirming plans to establish municipal-level partnerships and launch pilot programmes linking urban institutions in both countries.

This understanding was reached during a meeting between Pakistan’s federal minister for commerce, Jam Kamal Khan, and UK Minister of Housing, Communication and Local Government, Lord Wajid Khan, held in London yesterday. 

Minister Jam Kamal Khan is on an official visit to the United Kingdom from July 14 to 18, 2025, aimed at deepening bilateral trade and investment ties and advancing Pakistan’s agenda for inclusive, diaspora-led economic diplomacy.

During the meeting, Minister Khan announced the formation of a Pakistan-UK Business Advisory Council, a new initiative to harness the diaspora’s professional expertise and networks to enhance business collaboration between the two countries.

Both sides explored ways to link Pakistani urban institutions with UK local councils to enable knowledge exchange and pilot joint development initiatives.

The minister emphasised Pakistan’s commitment to inclusive growth and regional connectivity and invited UK support for local-level partnerships.

A formal invitation was extended to Lord Khan to visit Pakistan and witness firsthand the emerging opportunities for cooperation across key development sectors.

Pakistan’s high commissioner to the UK, Dr Mohammad Faisal, was also present at the meeting.

This engagement marks a step forward in Pakistan’s renewed focus on diaspora-driven diplomacy and its efforts to build targeted sectoral partnerships with the UK. 

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