Pakistan Open to ‘Constructive Talks’ with India, PM Informs UK Diplomat

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday reiterated Pakistan’s readiness to engage in “constructive dialogue” with India to resolve all longstanding issues between the two nations.

His comments came during a meeting with British High Commissioner Jane Marriott, who called on him in Islamabad.

The prime minister’s remarks followed recent tensions sparked by the April 22 Pahalgam attack in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, which resulted in intensified conflict between India and Pakistan. New Delhi blamed Pakistan for the incident without presenting concrete evidence.

In response, Pakistan’s military launched a major counteroffensive named Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos, targeting several Indian military installations. The conflict saw Pakistan down six Indian fighter jets, including three Rafales, and destroy multiple drones. Hostilities came to an end on May 10 following a ceasefire agreement brokered by the United States.

The truce was announced by U.S. President Donald Trump via social media, after Washington held talks with both Islamabad and New Delhi. While India rejected Trump’s claim of direct intervention, Pakistan officially credited the U.S. president’s diplomatic efforts and even nominated him for the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize for helping defuse the crisis.

During his meeting with the British envoy, Prime Minister Shehbaz extended warm greetings to King Charles III and newly elected Prime Minister Keir Starmer. He said he was looking forward to holding discussions with UK leadership during his upcoming visit later this year.

The premier also welcomed the UK’s recent decision to lift the ban on Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flights to and from the United Kingdom, calling it a relief for the British Pakistani community and a step toward enhanced people-to-people contact. The UK and EU had suspended PIA operations in July 2020 after the revelation of the fake pilot license scandal.

Although Pakistan’s removal from the UK aviation blacklist is a significant step, local carriers will still need to obtain specific operating licenses from the UK Civil Aviation Authority before flights can officially resume.

On broader Pakistan-UK relations, PM Shehbaz expressed satisfaction over the steady progress in bilateral cooperation, noting that the recent trade talks between the two countries had opened up new prospects for mutual economic growth.

He further highlighted Pakistan’s active collaboration with the UK at the United Nations Security Council, where Pakistan currently holds the rotating monthly presidency.

The two sides also discussed key regional developments in South Asia and the Middle East. The prime minister commended the UK’s diplomatic role in helping reduce tensions during the recent Pakistan-India standoff.

Jane Marriott thanked the prime minister for the meeting and briefed him on her recent trip to London, where she engaged in high-level discussions aimed at boosting Pakistan-UK ties.

She praised the government’s economic achievements under PM Shehbaz’s leadership, highlighting significant improvements across major macroeconomic indicators over the past 18 months. She also shared the UK’s view on recent geopolitical developments in the region.