British High Commissioner to Islamabad Thomas Drew said interests of the two countries are aligned and he would be working to promote mutual security, and help Pakistan unleash its economic potential.
The British envoy was talking to media at a reception hosted by him at the High Commission, and said it was his second posting here which was a fabulous place to serve as a diplomat.
“My job here is to make sure I use my privileged position to good effect – for our mutual security, regional stability, and to help promote the economic and political development of the country in a way which enhances the prosperity and well-being of the two countries. The most exciting part of my challenge is helping Pakistan unleash its potential,” he said.
He said: “After spending three months in Islamabad, I am even more convinced now that Pakistan has huge potential, as it has a young and growing population”.
Drew said: “What is good for Pakistan is good for the UK and vice versa,” adding that by working together both countries could make the difference.
He said it was a mark of the British commitment to have the second largest mission in the world, adding: “Our bilateral development programme here is our biggest anywhere in the world; and there is a huge interest and support for the country at the highest levels of our government”.
“It is easy to forget that Pakistan is the 6th largest country in the world, but there is also a lot more to do to make the most of that potential. And that is what we would like to do,” said the envoy.
Emphasising on the importance of the presence of a large Pakistani diaspora in the UK he said: “People-to-people links are important to all the countries, but there is something special about those between the UK and Pakistan. It is partly because of our history, but now it is also about the fact that more than 2% of the population of the UK are of Pakistani origin”.