In a glittering evening filled with music, diplomacy, and shared optimism, Speaker of the Sindh Assembly Awais Qadir Shah, British High Commissioner Jane Marriott CMG OBE, and Governor Sindh Kamran Tessori came together to celebrate His Majesty King Charles III’s 77th birthday. Held at the British Deputy High Commission in Karachi, the grand reception marked the finale of this year’s King’s Birthday Party events across Pakistan and underscored the deepening cultural, economic, and developmental partnership between the United Kingdom and Pakistan.
The star-studded guest list brought together senior government officials, leading business figures, artists, and creatives – a true reflection of Karachi’s vibrant spirit and the strong people-to-people links that continue to bind the two nations.
Record-Breaking Bilateral Trade Surpasses £5.5 Billion
British High Commissioner Jane Marriott highlighted a major milestone: UK-Pakistan bilateral trade has soared past £5.5 billion in 2025, driven largely by Karachi’s entrepreneurial energy and nationwide business momentum.
“Karachi captures so much of what the UK and Pakistan share: energy, creativity and a spirit of openness. It is the beating heart of Pakistan’s economy,” Marriott said. “Businesses here, as well as across the country, have played a central role in driving bilateral trade between the UK and Pakistan past £5.5 billion this year. We look forward to building on this momentum and unlocking even more opportunities together.”
With new trade corridors, enhanced investment frameworks, and growing interest from British firms in Pakistan’s tech, textile, and renewable energy sectors, analysts predict the £6 billion mark could be within reach as early as 2026.
UK’s Ongoing Commitment to Sindh:
Beyond trade, the United Kingdom continues to deliver transformative development support across Sindh province through flagship programmes:
- Aawaz II Programme: Five District Child Protection Units have significantly upgraded their capacity, with 150 social service workforce members trained and 75 community forums established to promote safer, inclusive dialogue on child rights and protection.
- Post-2022 Flood Rehabilitation: Schools destroyed in the devastating 2022 floods across three Sindh districts have been fully rebuilt and reopened with UK funding.
- 2025 Flood Response: When floods struck again this year, UK aid provided rapid emergency support to affected communities in Sindh.
- Education & Teacher Development: Ongoing Karachi-based initiatives continue to strengthen teacher training and education research, improving learning outcomes for thousands of students.
These initiatives reflect the UK’s long-term partnership approach – focusing on climate resilience, child welfare, and quality education in one of Pakistan’s most dynamic provinces.
A Night of Culture and National Pride
The celebration opened with the Pakistan Naval Band performing the national anthems of both Pakistan and the United Kingdom, setting a tone of mutual respect and friendship.
Guests were then treated to electrifying performances by:
- Rising star Ayesha Ijlal
- Popular band Khudgharz
- DJ Ahmed, who kept the energy high into the night
The fusion of British and Pakistani hospitality created an unforgettable atmosphere, symbolizing the warmth that defines the relationship today.
As the final King’s Birthday event of 2025, the Karachi celebration was more than a diplomatic tradition – it was a powerful statement of partnership at its peak. From record trade figures to life-changing development projects in Sindh, and from shared cultural moments to ambitious plans ahead, the UK and Pakistan are writing a new chapter of collaboration built on trust, respect, and shared prosperity.
