President hopes UK, under Burnham will contribute towards ending hostilities in ME and restoring Islamabad MoU
A collage showing President Asif Ali Zardari, the incoming UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif —FILEPHOTO
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday congratulated newly appointed United Kingdom Prime Minister Andy Burnham on assuming office and expressed their desire to strengthen cooperation with the incoming 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 “fed up” with a revolving door of leaders. King Charles III appointed Burnham as prime minister after outgoing leader Keir Starmer formally tendered his resignation, Buckingham Palace said.
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According to a statement issued by the President’s Office, Zardari hoped that under Burnham’s leadership, Pakistan and the UK would further strengthen their longstanding bilateral partnership and expand cooperation in areas of mutual interest.
“President Zardari reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to dialogue, diplomacy and the peaceful resolution of disputes. He noted that, as the world, particularly the Gulf region, has been passing through a turbulent period since late February, Pakistan has played its part in promoting peace with the support of many brotherly countries,” the statement said.
The president expressed hope that the UK, under the new prime minister, would also contribute towards securing a cessation of ongoing hostilities and restoring the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding.
“President Zardari wished PM Burnham success in his new responsibilities and said that 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 heartfelt felicitations to Prime Minister Andy Burnham on assuming office as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.
The President expressed the hope that under Prime Minister Burnham’s leadership, Pakistan and the United Kingdom would…
— The President of Pakistan (@PresOfPakistan) July 20, 2026
PM Shehbaz, in a post on X, wished Burnham every success in his tenure and said, “he looked forward to working closely with him to further strengthen the historic and deep-rooted bonds of friendship and cooperation between Pakistan and the UK.”
“These special ties 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, in particular our bilateral trade and investment partnership, to new heights,” he said.
Heartiest congratulations to @andyburnham on assuming office as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.
I wish Prime Minister Andy Burnham every success in his tenure and look forward to working closely with him to further strengthen the historic and deep-rooted bonds of…
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) July 20, 2026
Earlier today, Burnham travelled to 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.
In front of dozens of supporters outside his new office and residence at 10 Downing Street, Burnham said politicians had failed to bring the stability needed to raise living standards, something he said he would change with immediate policies and a longer-term plan to be drawn up later this year.
“I know people at home are fed up with politics. I hear you, and I want to be honest with you, we have not been good enough, and we need to be better,” he said, speaking without notes and dispensing with the lectern that prime ministers generally use.
“We will make this moment a circuit-breaker for Britain, bringing forward the biggest changes in the last 40 years. A new political model and a new economic model.”
