ISLAMABAD: National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq has said that Pakistan highly values its relations with UK and wishes to strengthen the existing ties between the two countries through enhanced economic cooperation and parliamentary exchanges. He expressed these views while talking to the British High Commissioner Thomas Drew here in Islamabad. The speaker said that Pakistan attaches great importance to its strategic partnership with UK as both countries have a shared stance on many regional and global issues. “Pakistan is committed to promoting durable peace and stability in the region as regional prosperity is contingent upon peace”, he added. According to details, Sadiq underscored the need for regular interaction between politicians, parliamentarians and people of the two countries to take the existing bilateral relationship to new heights. He stressed the need for exchanges of parliamentary delegations and re-activation of the Parliamentary Friendship Group in the parliaments of UK and Pakistan. Sadiq also appreciated the Technical Assistance Program funded by Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) and the British Parliament. Speaking on the occasion, Thomas Drew said that UK considers Pakistan one of its closest allies and an important trading partner. “UK would expand the scope of its assistance plan and help Pakistan in various fields”, he added. Discussing the role of Parliamentary Friendship Group, the British High Commissioner said that such groups could play an important role in strengthening bilateral relations. According to reports, Drew assured the Speaker of extending maximum assistance for building legislative capacity of parliamentarians as well as the parliamentary staff. He also lauded the electoral reforms initiative by Pakistani parliament, hoping that these reforms will ensure free, fair and transparent elections in the future. Published in Daily Times, July 27th 2017.