Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar is scheduled to undertake an official visit to the United Kingdom from August 24 to 28, where he will hold talks with senior British officials and interact with the Pakistani diaspora, the Foreign Office (FO) said on Sunday.

During the five-day visit, Dar will meet UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband, FCDO Minister of State for Pakistan Stephen Doughty, and other senior members of the British government, according to an FO statement.

The spokesperson noted that Dar will also meet the secretary-general of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) to discuss the plight of Pakistani crew members held hostage by Somali pirates aboard the oil tanker MT Honour 25.

The vessel, carrying 17 crew members - including 10 Pakistanis - was hijacked near Somalia's semi-autonomous Puntland region on April 21. Families of the hostages have expressed grave concern over deteriorating conditions aboard the ship during their prolonged captivity. The FO reiterated the government's resolve to secure the safe release of all Pakistani nationals.

Furthermore, the deputy prime minister will meet Commonwealth Secretary-General Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, alongside engagements with British parliamentarians and community leaders, the statement added.