ISLAMABAD, Feb 29: British Secretary for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Jack Straw, would be visiting Pakistan from March 3-5 to hold discussions with Pakistani officials on a wide range of issues including nuclear non-proliferation and Pakistan's membership in the Commonwealth, which is suspended.

A press release issued by the government on Sunday said that in addition to a review of bilateral relations, discussions would be held on a wide range of issues including resumption of Pakistan-India dialogue, reconstruction of Afghanistan, counter- terrorism and nuclear non-proliferation.

The press release said "as a leading partner in the international coalition in the war against terrorism, reconstruction of Afghanistan and establishment of peace and security in South Asia, Britain has been showing keen interest in improving relations with Pakistan." This is reflected by increased frequency of high-level visits between the two states, the press release added.

The press release said Britain is the fourth largest trading partner of Pakistan. Last year, the bilateral trade amounted to US$1.14 billion showing an improvement of 13 per cent over the previous year.

With exports of US$788 million and imports of US$356 million Pakistan had a trade balance of $432 million in its favour, the press release said.

Diplomatic sources said the issue of lifting of suspension of Pakistan's membership from the Commonwealth would figure prominently in the forthcoming Pakistan-UK talks as Islamabad is said to have made visible progress about fulfilling the Commonwealth's demands for restoration of democracy.

About possible discussions on non-proliferation issues, sources said Mr Straw's visit comes soon after he outlined on February 25 his vision in a written ministerial statement to the British government on proliferation issues. In this statement Mr Straw set out steps being taken to deter, check and "roll back WMD plans in countries of concern".