London: Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar has underscored Pakistan's intent to play a more active role in promoting intra Commonwealth trade and development. He made these remarks during a breakfast meeting with Commonwealth Secretary General, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, in London today. The Deputy Prime Minister expressed confidence in the Commonwealth's role as a vital platform for fostering shared values and building consensus among member states.

According to Radio Pakistan, reflecting on their earlier discussion at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Samoa, Ishaq Dar emphasized Pakistan's deep commitment to the Commonwealth as a founding member and reaffirmed its steadfast support for the organization. Additionally, he underscored Pakistan's acute vulnerability to climate change and sought the Commonwealth's support in addressing this pressing challenge.

He assured the Secretary General of Pakistan's strong commitment to the Commonwealth's Sustainable Development and Connectivity agendas. Highlighting Pakistan's leadership in youth and gender initiatives, Ishaq Dar noted Pakistan's co-chairmanship of the Commonwealth Youth Task Force and its role in modernizing the Commonwealth Youth Programme.

He also expressed pride in Pakistan's role as host of the Secretariat of the Commonwealth Asia Youth Alliance. He appreciated the Commonwealth's support for Pakistani youth and hailed the recent signing of the landmark Letter of Intent between the Prime Minister's Youth Programme, the Commonwealth Secretariat, and the British Esports Federation to collaboratively develop a vibrant E-sports ecosystem in Pakistan.

Ishaq Dar praised the Secretary General's efforts in formulating the 2025-2030 Commonwealth Strategic Plan and offered Pakistan's full cooperation in advancing the shared goals of development, democracy, and resilience. The Deputy Prime Minister congratulated her on appointment as the seventh Secretary-General of the Commonwealth and also conveyed a warm invitation for Secretary General to visit Islamabad at her earliest convenience.