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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and the United Kingdom (UK) decided to form a new business advisory council as officials from both countries met in London at the inaugural UK-Pakistan Trade Dialogue, the British high commission in Islamabad said on Monday.
The development came during the dialogue co-chaired by UK Minister for Trade Policy and Economic Security Douglas Alexander and Pakistan’s Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan, who is on an official visit to the UK from July 14 till July 20.
The UK maintains zero-tariff access of Pakistan’s exports post-Brexit, making it Pakistan’s largest European and third-largest individual export partner, according to the Pakistani foreign ministry.
The UK-Pakistan Business Advisory Council will bring together senior business leaders and government officials to provide strategic advice on policy reform, offer a confidential forum for engagement, and help promote commercial opportunities by addressing market access challenges and sharing best practices. 
“Today’s Dialogue marks the next step in our long-standing relationship with Pakistan, taking our trading partnership to the next level and unlocking new opportunities for businesses in both our countries,” Alexander was quoted as saying by the British high commission.
 “By deepening cooperation in key sectors like health care and digital technology – areas central to the UK’s Industrial Strategy – we can drive growth, foster innovation, and create jobs.”
The high commission did not share an exact date about the establishment of the new advisory council.
Bilateral trade between the two countries in goods and services reached £4.7 billion in 2024, an increase of 7.3 percent, or £320 million, compared to the previous year, according to the UK government data. Of this £4.7 billion, UK exports to Pakistan amounted to £2.2 billion, while its imports from Pakistan amounted to £2.5 billion.
Khan, whose visit aims to deepen bilateral commercial ties and strengthen institutional frameworks, said the dialogue laid the foundation for a more structured and forward-looking trade relationship between both sides.
“The UK remains one of Pakistan’s most important economic partners,” he was quoted as saying. “By strengthening collaboration and aligning our priorities, we can expand bilateral trade, attract greater investment, and create sustainable economic opportunities that benefit both nations.”
Britain also announced up to £200,000 to support Pakistan’s aspirations to attract investment from the UK.
“The funds will provide technical assistance for investor outreach, and support matchmaking between Pakistani investors and UK-based opportunities,” the British high commission said in its statement.
“This initiative reflects the UK’s commitment to supporting Pakistan’s ambitions to increase outbound investment and to strengthening the bilateral investment relationship.”
Khan’s visit comes at a time when Pakistan is striving to draw overseas investment amid a gradually healing macroeconomic environment after a prolonged downturn that forced Islamabad to seek external financing from friendly nations and multiple loan programs from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
The British high commission said Monday’s discussions focused on key sectors, including information technology and health care, under the UK’s Industrial Strategy, which presents a “significant opportunity” for businesses and investors.
“The UK is committed to making it easier, faster, and more predictable for international firms to operate in its market. This includes reforms in skills development, innovation, regulation, and planning – creating a more dynamic and open business environment,” it said.
“Through the alignment of the UK’s Industrial Strategy and the UK–Pakistan Trade Dialogue, we are reaffirming our commitment to open and fair trade, and to deepening economic ties with key partners like Pakistan.”

ISLAMABAD: A top political adviser to Pakistan’s prime minister on Monday warned jailed former premier Imran Khan’s political party against inciting unrest during a newly announced protest movement to demand his release, as political tensions in the country continue to intensify.

Khan, who was ousted from office in a parliamentary vote in April 2022, has been jailed for nearly two years on multiple charges, which he and his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party insist are politically motivated. PTI currently holds power in the northwestern province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and has previously led a number of protest marches toward the capital, Islamabad.

On July 13, PTI launched its latest agitation campaign, describing it as a 90-day “do-or-die” protest. The announcement followed the suspension of 26 PTI lawmakers in Punjab and the Supreme Court’s rejection of the party’s bid to reclaim reserved parliamentary seats for minorities and women.

“They have now planned a program lasting over 90 days. In this, if they remain peaceful, it’s fine, it’s their democratic right,” Rana Sanaullah, adviser to the prime minister on political and public affairs, said in an interview with a local news channel. 

“And if they take the law in their hands and try to create instability in the country then definitely the law will take its course.”

Sanaullah also accused Khan’s party of bypassing the government and seeking intervention from the military, commonly referred to in Pakistan as “the establishment.”

“They did not talk about speaking with the government [to resolve their issues],” he added. “They want to speak to the establishment, they are trying to straighten out their affairs through them.”

The latest protest drive was finalized at a meeting in Lahore on July 12, attended by PTI leader and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur who alleged that the PTI was being denied its right to peaceful protest. He vowed that the party would mobilize supporters nationwide before marching toward the capital.

Earlier this month, Khan’s sister announced that his sons, Sulaiman and Kasim, would join the protest campaign in Pakistan after returning from the United States, where they will seek to raise awareness about alleged human rights violations against Khan and his party.

PTI has organized a series of nationwide demonstrations since last year, calling for Khan’s release and an independent investigation into the February 2024 general elections. During one such protest in November 2024, the government said four security personnel were killed in clashes with Khan supporters, an allegation PTI denies.

The government maintains that the 2024 elections were free and fair and accuses the PTI of undermining democratic processes and causing economic stability through confrontational tactics. Pakistan’s military, long a powerful force in national politics, denies accusations of political interference or any role in Khan’s ouster or imprisonment.