High commissioner to UK meets Pakistani community in Manchester

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan High Commissioner to the United Kingdom Syed Ibne Abbas met with the Pakistani community at a dinner reception in Manchester the other night. This interaction was part of the High Commission’s community outreach efforts, said a messaged released by the High Commission here on Friday.

Member Parliament (MP) Afzal Khan, MP Yasmin Qureshi, Member European Parliament (MEP) Wajid Khan, MEP Sajjad Karim, High Sheriff of Greater Manchester Dr Robina Shah, Barrister Amjad Malik, Overseas Pakistanis Foundation Board of Governors’ Chairman Aamar Aftab Qureshi and others were also present on the occasion. Besides that, a number of mayors and councillors, professionals, entrepreneurs, youth and media persons were also present.

Speaking on the occasion, the high commissioner commended the achievements of the Pakistani diaspora in various walks of life. He, however, laid special emphasis on education for youth and a proactive role for women to further add to these achievements. The high commissioner said that 2018 would be the year of youth engagement and to strengthen their ties with their origins. The High Commission would send five British Pakistani youth to Pakistan under the “Explore Pakistan Programme”.

The high commissioner urged the community to fully participate in the upcoming local elections in the UK and be part of the mainstream British society.

He said the US move to put Pakistan on Grey List of Financial Action Task Force (FATF) is politically motivated. He said it is disappointing that the UK, despite our friendly relations, also sponsored this move. He called upon the community to lobby with their local MPs in a unified way to put across Pakistan’s stance on such important international issues.

On this occasion, the high commissioner condemned the ongoing human rights abuses in Indian occupied Kashmir and called upon the international community to play its role to end the sufferings of the Kashmiri people. He reiterated Pakistan’s political, diplomatic and moral support to the legitimate cause of Kashmir.

The high commissioner also invited the British Pakistanis to take advantage of the business and investment opportunities in Pakistan, especially in the wake of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). He said that there would be great potential for bilateral trade between Pakistan and the UK post-Brexit and the British Pakistanis could play an effective role in enhancing the business ties between the two countries.