Pakistan, UK agree to increase cooperation at multilateral fora 

UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy (center left) calls on Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Ishaq Dar, in Islamabad on May 16, 2025. (PTV/File)
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Updated 01 June 2025
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Pakistan, UK agree to increase cooperation at multilateral fora 

  • Pakistan foreign minister speaks to British Foreign Secretary David Lammy over the phone 
  • Both agree to meet on sidelines of high-level UN events later this month, says state media

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and his British counterpart David Lammy on Sunday agreed to enhance cooperation in multilateral fora, particularly the UN Security Council, state-run media reported. 

Pakistan and the UK enjoy cordial relations. These ties have translated into the two nations harboring cooperation in military, economic, and educational sectors, with the latter hosting a large Pakistani diaspora. 

The conversation between the two diplomats follows Lammy’s first official visit to Pakistan last month, where he met the country’s top officials following Pakistan’s dangerous military standoff with nuclear-armed rival India. 

“They exchanged views on further enhancing bilateral cooperation in multilateral fora, particularly at the UN Security Council,” state broadcaster Radio Pakistan reported. 

The state media said both leaders agreed to maintain contact. They also agreed to meet on the sidelines of the high-level events scheduled to be held later this month at the United Nations, New York, the state broadcaster said. 

The UK is one of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council along with China, US, Russia and France. 

The Security Council seeks to maintain international peace and security in accordance with the principles of the UN and investigates any dispute or situation which might lead to international friction. 

The UK was one of several countries actively engaged in restoring calm between India and Pakistan after the two neighbors were engaged in conflict for four days last month. 

India blamed Pakistan for being involved in an April 22 attack on a tourist resort in the part of Kashmir administered by Delhi. Islamabad denied involvement and called for an international probe into the incident. 

After India struck multiple Pakistani sites on May 6 with missiles, describing them as “terrorist camps,” the two sides traded missiles, artillery and drone strikes for four days before Washington brokered a ceasefire between the two on May 10. 

Tensions between both nations continue to persist, with Pakistan warning it would respond to any further violations of its sovereignty by India. 


ADB approves $381 million for climate-resilient agriculture, social services in Punjab

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ADB approves $381 million for climate-resilient agriculture, social services in Punjab

  • Support will upgrade Punjab’s education and nursing systems, improving learning outcomes and health care capacity
  • Package includes $124 million for agriculture, $107 million for STEM schooling and $150 million for nursing reforms

KARACHI: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) said on Saturday it approved $381 million in financing for Pakistan’s Punjab province to modernize agriculture and strengthen education and health services, with a major focus on building climate resilience after monsoon floods this year caused widespread destruction across the country’s most populous province.

The package includes concessional loans and grants for farm mechanization, STEM education, and nursing sector reforms.

ADB said the investments are intended to help Punjab, home to more than half of Pakistan’s population and a key contributor to its economy, recover from climate shocks and transition toward more sustainable and resilient development.

“Investing in education, health, and agricultural mechanization will play a transformative role in driving the growth of Punjab, a vital pillar of Pakistan’s economy,” said ADB Country Director for Pakistan Emma Fan. “These strategic investments will modernize agriculture, enhance human capital, and significantly improve livelihoods for millions of people across Punjab.”

The bank approved $120 million in concessional loans and a $4 million grant for the Punjab Climate-Resilient and Low-Carbon Agriculture Mechanization Project, which will support 220,000 rural farm households.

The program aims to reduce climate vulnerability by shifting farmers toward modern, low-emission machinery, provide alternative livelihoods for agricultural workers and train 15,000 women in new skills. It will also introduce a financing model to help small farmers access advanced equipment.

Punjab produces most of Pakistan’s wheat, rice, and maize but still relies on outdated machinery, contributing to grain losses and routine burning of crop residues, a major source of air pollution, said ADB.

It noted the new project will promote modern mechanization, including rice harvesters, to address these issues.

ADB also approved $107 million for the Responsive, Ready, and Resilient STEM Secondary Education in Punjab Program, including a $7 million grant from the Asian Development Fund.

The results-based program aims to modernize secondary schooling by expanding inclusive STEM education, improving access and quality across the province.

A further $150 million concessional loan was approved for the Punjab Nursing and Health Workforce Reform Program, which will upgrade nursing curricula, develop disaster-resilient training facilities, strengthen workforce governance, and introduce digital human-resource systems.

The program seeks to expand the pool of qualified nurses to strengthen health service delivery and meet rising national and global demand.

Key components include the establishment of three centers of excellence in Lahore, Multan and Rawalpindi, equipped with simulation labs, digital learning platforms, and gender-responsive hostels.

ADB said it remains committed to supporting climate-resilient and inclusive development across Asia and the Pacific through innovative financing tools and partnerships.