Islamabad, Dec 17: British High Commissioner to Pakistan, Jane Marriott, suggested that the United Kingdom (UK) may enter into a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Pakistan in the future.
She highlighted that the UK and Pakistan’s current trade volume, worth £4.1 billion, is outdated and at a low point, requiring improvement.
Speaking at the Islamabad Policy Research Institute (IPRI) lecture titled “Pakistan-UK Relations in a New Era” on Monday, Marriott emphasized the need for enhanced investments from Pakistan. She pointed out that 90 percent of goods exported from Pakistan to the UK benefit from reduced trade tariffs, and both nations can play key roles in increasing bilateral trade, which is currently very low.
In response to participant queries, Marriott mentioned that the UK may sign an FTA with Pakistan in the future, similar to the ongoing negotiations with India. She explained that India, with its 1.4 billion population, represents a significant market, and the UK and India are close to finalizing their FTA. She also confirmed that the UK has left the European Union and does not intend to return, though it maintains strong ties with the EU.
UK-Pakistan
Marriott revealed that the British Foreign Secretary might visit Pakistan next year. She reiterated the importance of Afghanistan’s stability for Pakistan’s security, stating that the UK wants Afghanistan to be stable.
She reaffirmed that Pakistan is one of the UK’s most strategic partners, with both countries focused on expanding cooperation in areas like trade, defense, education, climate change, and healthcare. Marriott highlighted the growing military and defense collaboration, particularly in counterterrorism and peacekeeping missions, and praised Pakistan’s contributions to United Nations peacekeeping operations.
Education was emphasized as a critical solution to Pakistan’s challenges, including the alarming statistic that 26 million children are out of school. Marriott also addressed the urgent issue of climate change, which poses an existential threat to Pakistan, despite the country contributing less than one percent of global emissions. She discussed the risks posed by climate-related disasters, including agricultural disruption and the inhabitation of certain regions due to rising temperatures.
In her closing remarks, Marriott reiterated the shared commitment between Pakistan and the UK to tackle global challenges, from the situation in Afghanistan to the pressing issue of climate change.
