A softer image of Pakistan needs to be portrayed all over the world, Pakistan’s Deputy High Commissioner in UK Asif Durrani said while visiting the Qadria Trust Birmingham.
Pakistan is a strong country with a vibrant civil society, free media and an independent judiciary and all important decisions are taken by the representative government, he said, adding that Pakistanis can face every challenge and had lived through the 2005 earthquake and last year’s floods. The country was a nuclear power and the people were now ready to rid themselves of the evils of terrorism, ignorance, illiteracy and corruption.
Terming the USSR invasion of Afghanistan as a 9/11 for Pakistan, Durrani said Pakistan had suffered heavily because of the ‘war on terror’ and the west needed to recognise the sacrifices rendered by the people of Pakistan. He called upon the EU and USA to give market access to Pakistani products and added that Pakistan desires trade not aid.
Commenting on the negative propaganda about Pakistan in the Western media, Asif Durrani urged the Ulema and community leaders to come forward and remove the misperceptions about Pakistan by spreading the message of peace and tolerance. Durrani advised Pakistani Diaspora in UK to present itself as a role model to their fellow countrymen by playing their rightful role in the British society that offers much in an atmosphere of exemplary tolerance.
Deputy High Commissioner Asif Durrani appreciated the services of Pir Tayyab Qadri for the Pakistani community in the Britain. Pir Tayyab Ur Rehman Qadri, Secretary General Pakhtoon Loya Jirga Javid Iqbal Yousafzai and President Pakistan Association Birmingham Raja Ishtiaq also spoke on this occasion.