ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s planning minister Ahsan Iqbal met a delegation from the United Kingdom, said an official statement on Thursday, to discuss the possibility of fostering closer ties and enhancing collaboration between the educational institutions in both countries.
British universities are a popular destination for Pakistani students due to the quality of education and the strong historical and cultural ties between the two countries.
Many students from Pakistan go to these educational institutions on scholarships offered by various organizations, such as the British Council, UK government and universities themselves, while others fund their studies independently.
The Pakistani planning minister presented various recommendations during his meeting with the delegation led by Steve Smith, the UK government’s International Education Champion, along with officials of the British High Commission.
He proposed faculty training programs to bolster academic expertise across borders, encouraging UK universities to establish campuses in Pakistan to promote educational accessibility and harnessing the expertise of Pakistani scholars in British universities to develop specialized knowledge clusters on the country.
“Pakistan envisions a future where universities in Pakistan are categorized into the Champions League (having first-tier universities) and the National League (having second-tier universities), driving excellence and accessibility in higher education,” Iqbal said during the meeting.
He highlighted the imperative for joint research initiatives, pointing at the importance of establishing joint research groups and fostering collaborations between PhD scholars from both countries.
The visiting delegation official reaffirmed the British government’s commitment to building international partnerships in education, citing the presence of over 20,000 Pakistani students in his country and 8,000 students who are pursuing degree programs in Pakistan with UK’s financial support.
The two sides also discussed procedural issues while pointing to the need for streamlined regulations, with a particular emphasis on minimizing hurdles for universities and strengthening the link between research institutions and economic growth.
They agreed to hold further dialogue and take concrete action toward implementing the planning minister’s recommendations to further solidify the foundation for enduring academic cooperation between the two countries.
Pakistan’s planning minister discusses enhanced educational ties with UK delegation
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Pakistan’s planning minister discusses enhanced educational ties with UK delegation
- Ahsan Iqbal proposes faculty training, research collaboration and UK campus expansions in Pakistan
- He says UK universities should develop specialized knowledge clusters through Pakistani scholars’ expertise
Saudi Arabia preparing for strategic economic pact with Pakistan, Saudi envoy says
- The statement follows the signing of a bilateral defense agreement in Sept. to enhance joint deterrence
- Both nations also agreed on an economic framework to prioritize energy, industry, mining and other projects
ISLAMABAD: Saudi Arabia is preparing to sign a strategic economic pact with Pakistan to further strengthen ties between the two brotherly nations, the Saudi ambassador to Pakistan said on Tuesday, months after both countries signed a Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement (SMDA).
The statement by Saudi Ambassador Nawaf bin Said Al-Malki came during his interaction with Arab News on the sidelines of the launch of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center’s (KSrelief) Ramadan food assistance program for deserving Pakistanis.
It followed a landmark defense pact between the two countries, signed in Sept. last year, under which Islamabad and Riyadh pledged that aggression against one would be treated as an attack on both.
The move was widely viewed as formalization of longstanding military cooperation into a binding commitment, while both countries agreed a month later to launch an economic cooperation framework to strengthen trade and investment ties.
“Three months ago, we signed, you know, the Strategic Mutual Defense agreement. Today, god willing, we will be preparing for another, you know, strategic plan for the economy of Pakistan and Saudi Arabia,” the Saudi ambassador told Arab News, adding the economic plan would be signed “soon.”
Saudi Arabia and Pakistan agreed to launch the economic cooperation framework to strengthen trade and investment ties during Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s visit to Riyadh in Oct. last year.
A joint statement issued after Sharif’s meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed said the framework would include several strategic, high-impact projects, prioritizing energy, industry, mining, information technology, tourism, agriculture and food security.
“This framework represents an extension of both countries’ efforts to strengthen their fraternal relations and reaffirms their shared vision toward building a sustainable partnership across various economic, trade and investment fields,” the joint statement said in Oct.
The two countries have already signed a memorandum of understanding for an electricity interconnection project.
Saudi Arabia and Pakistan have enjoyed close relations for decades but have moved to broaden their cooperation in recent years. In 2024, the two countries had also signed 34 memorandums of understanding (MoUs) worth $2.8 billion across multiple sectors.
The KSrelief Ramadan food assistance program, launched on Tuesday, aimed to distribute 27,000 food baskets to support 192,500 vulnerable individuals in 30 districts across Pakistan.
Each food package includes 80 kilograms of wheat flour, 5 liters of cooking oil, 5 kilograms of sugar, 2 kilograms of dates, and 5 kilograms of gram pulse, according to the charity. The contents are calculated to sustain an average household for the entire month of Ramadan.
“The project reflects the Center’s broader humanitarian mandate to alleviate suffering, enhance resilience, and support vulnerable communities,” the Saudi charity said.
“KSrelief reaffirms its continued commitment to addressing food security challenges in Pakistan.”
