ISLAMABAD: Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir has reached the United Kingdom to attend a platform for military-to-military dialogue between the two countries and hold talks with the British civil and military leadership, an official statement announced on Wednesday.
The 7th Regional Stabilization Conference is an annual event held at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in the UK. It facilitates bilateral collaboration and understanding by bringing together civil and military policymakers, as well as think tank members from both countries, according to the military’s media wing, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).
The 2025 conference is significant due to the rapidly evolving geopolitical landscape, offering an invaluable opportunity to exchange perspectives and explore pathways for enhanced bilateral cooperation, it added.
“Chief of Army Staff General Munir is on an official visit to the United Kingdom to participate in the 7th Regional Stabilization Conference at the esteemed Royal Military Academy Sandhurst where he will deliver the keynote address on ‘The Emerging World Order and Pakistan’s Future Outlook,’” the ISPR said.
“On the inaugural day of his visit, General Munir was accorded a warm and dignified welcome including a ceremonial Guard of Honour at the historic Royal Horse Guards Parade Ground presented by an impeccably turned-out contingent.”
The ISPR added the Pakistani army chief would meet UK Chief of Defense Staff Admiral Toney Radikon, British Army Chief of General Staff General Sir Roland Walker and UK National Security Adviser Jonathan Nicholas Powell to discuss matters of mutual interest.
He will also engage in discussions with UK Home Secretary Yvette Cooper to address shared challenges apart from underscoring the importance of fostering deeper collaboration between both countries.
The ISPR said General Munir will visit prominent British Army units including the Land Warfare Center and the 1st Strike Brigade where he will be briefed about the “modernization initiatives and operational strategies.”
“The visit highlights the enduring partnership between the two nations, reaffirming their shared commitment to regional stability and global peace,” the statement said.
Pakistan and the UK have witnessed high-level visits between their military leaders, in an effort to strengthen defense ties and collaboration.
Last August, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Sahir Shamshad Mirza met with top British military officials to discuss bilateral defense and security cooperation.
The two countries share a long-standing relationship built on strong diplomatic, economic and security ties. Over the years, both militaries have maintained robust cooperation, particularly in the fields of counterterrorism and professional training.
Their existing defense partnership includes Pakistani officers undergoing training at Sandhurst and the Royal College of Defense Studies.
Pakistan’s army chief arrives in UK to attend military forum, hold talks with senior leadership
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Pakistan’s army chief arrives in UK to attend military forum, hold talks with senior leadership
- General Asim Munir address a conference on Pakistan’s future outlook amid the emerging world order
- He will also meet British civil and military leadership to discuss strengthening of ties between both states
Pakistan footwear sector flags used imports as barrier to export growth
- Industry says production capacity far exceeds domestic consumption, signaling export potential
- Its delegation tells commerce minister up to 40 percent of domestic market met through used shoe imports
KARACHI: Pakistan’s leather and footwear industry has warned that rising imports of used shoes are distorting the domestic market and limiting export growth, according to a commerce ministry statement issued on Thursday after industry representatives met Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan.
The meeting focused on export potential, domestic market challenges and regulatory concerns linked to the import of second-hand footwear, which industry leaders say is undermining local manufacturers despite significant production capacity.
“Pakistan’s annual footwear consumption is estimated at around 550 million pairs, while the country has an installed production capacity of nearly 700 million pairs annually, indicating significant potential for both domestic supply and export expansion,” the delegation said, according to the commerce ministry statement.
“A considerable portion of this capacity remains underutilized due to market distortions created by the growing influx of used footwear imports,” it added.
Industry representatives told the minister that around 30-40 percent of Pakistan’s domestic footwear market is currently supplied through imports of used shoes, many of which enter the country under the broader customs category of used clothing and accessories.
They said branded footwear is often imported at very low declared values under this classification, creating what they described as unfair competition for domestic manufacturers.
To address the issue, the delegation proposed introducing a separate Harmonized System (HS) code for used footwear, which would allow regulators to better track imports, improve customs valuation and introduce sector-specific regulatory measures.
The commerce ministry said the proposal has been placed on the agenda of the Tariff Policy Board and could eventually be considered as part of the upcoming federal budget following consultations and approvals.
The commerce minister acknowledged the importance of the leather and footwear sector as a potential export driver and reiterated the government’s support for local manufacturing and export-led growth, the statement said.
He also encouraged industry stakeholders to expand exports while ensuring locally produced footwear remains affordable for domestic consumers.
Both sides agreed to maintain close coordination to help the sector boost employment, increase production and expand Pakistan’s presence in international footwear markets.
