ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar will visit the United Kingdom from August 24 to 28, with high-level meetings expected to focus on strengthening bilateral ties and expanding cooperation.

Dar will meet UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband, Minister of State for Pakistan Stephen Doughty and other senior British officials during his five-day visit.

He will also hold meetings with British parliamentarians and representatives of the Pakistani community in the UK.

A key engagement will be Dar’s meeting with the secretary-general of the International Maritime Organisation, where the issue of Pakistani crew members held by Somali pirates aboard the oil tanker MT Honour 25 will be discussed.

Pakistan has been seeking international assistance for the safe release of the detained crew members.

Dar will also meet Commonwealth Secretary-General Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey during his visit.

The Foreign Office said the engagements would provide an opportunity to advance high-level contacts and mutual cooperation between Pakistan and the UK.

Regional and international issues are also expected to be discussed during the visit.