President hopes UK, under Burnham, will help end hostilities in ME and restore Islamabad MoU
A collage showing President Asif Ali Zardari, new British Prime Minister Andy Burnham and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif —FILEPHOTO
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday congratulated new British Prime Minister Andy Burnham on taking office and expressed their desire to strengthen cooperation with the new leader.
Burnham became Britain’s seventh prime minister in a decade, pledging to break with the politics of the past to deliver a new economic model to benefit a nation “tired” of a revolving door of leaders. King Charles III appointed Burnham as Prime Minister after outgoing leader Keir Starmer formally tendered his resignation, Buckingham Palace announced.
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According to a statement issued by the President’s Office, Zardari hopes that under Burnham’s leadership, Pakistan and the United Kingdom will further strengthen their long-standing bilateral partnership and expand cooperation in areas of mutual interest.
“President Zardari reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to dialogue, diplomacy and peaceful resolution of disputes. He noted that while the world, particularly the Gulf region, has been going through a period of turbulence since late February, Pakistan has played its role in promoting peace with the support of many brotherly countries,” the statement said.
The President expressed hope that the United Kingdom, under the leadership of the new Prime Minister, would also help ensure the cessation of ongoing hostilities and reinstate the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding.
“President Zardari wished Prime Minister Burnham success in his new responsibilities and said he looked forward to working together to further deepen the enduring ties between Pakistan and the United Kingdom,” the statement added.
President Asif Ali Zardari has extended his sincere congratulations to Prime Minister Andy Burnham on assuming office as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.
The President expressed hope that under the leadership of Prime Minister Burnham, Pakistan and the United Kingdom…
– The President of Pakistan (@PresOfPakistan) July 20, 2026
Prime Minister Shehbaz, in an article on
“These special bonds are anchored by millions of proud and vibrant British Pakistanis who serve as a living bridge between our two countries. Together, we will strive to elevate Pakistan-UK relations, especially our bilateral trade and investment partnership, to new heights,” he said.
Congratulations to @andyburnham on taking office as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.
I wish Prime Minister Andy Burnham every success in his term in office and look forward to working closely with him to further strengthen the historic and deep-rooted ties of…
– Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) July 20, 2026
Earlier today, Burnham visited Buckingham Palace, where he was invited by the King to form a new government, completing the constitutional process required for a change of Prime Minister.
Speaking to dozens of supporters outside his new office and residence at 10 Downing Street, Burnham said politicians had failed to provide the stability needed to raise living standards, something he said he would change with immediate policies and a longer-term plan to be developed later this year.
“I know people back home are tired of politics. I hear you, and I want to be honest with you, we haven’t been good enough and we need to be better,” he said, speaking without notes and dispensing with the lectern that prime ministers typically use.
“We will make this a turning point for Britain, delivering the biggest changes of the last 40 years. A new political model and a new economic model.”
