President Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz congratulates incoming UK Prime Minister Burnham, looks forward to close cooperation

President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday congratulated newly appointed British Prime Minister Andy Burnham on his inauguration 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 “tired” of a revolving door of leaders. King Charles III appointed Burnham as prime minister after outgoing leader Keir Starmer formally resigned, 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 Britain would 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 as the world, especially the Gulf region, has been going through a turbulent period 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 UK, under the new Prime Minister, would also help ensure a halt to the ongoing hostilities and restore 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.

Prime Minister Shehbaz, in a speech at X, wished Burnham all the best in his tenure, saying “he looked forward to working closely with him to further strengthen the historic and deep-rooted ties of friendship and cooperation between Pakistan and the UK.”

“These special ties are anchored by millions of proud and vibrant British Pakistanis who act as a living bridge between our two countries. Together we will strive to lift Pakistan-UK relations, particularly our bilateral trade and investment partnership, to new heights,” he said.

Earlier today, Burnham traveled to Buckingham Palace, where he was invited by the king to form a new government, completing the constitutional process required to change prime ministers.

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 long-term plan due 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 have to get better,” he said, speaking without notes and without the lectern generally used by prime ministers.

“We will make this moment a circuit breaker for Britain and bring about the biggest changes of the last 40 years. A new political model and a new economic model.”