Wajid meets Pakistani/Kashmiri community in Manchester and Bradford

 

Mr. Wajid Shamsul Hasan, Pakistan’s High Commissioner to UK has urged the members of the Pakistani Community to play their due role in the projection of Pakistan’s invaluable contribution in the war against terrorism. Addressing a large gathering of the Pakistani community in Manchester on Saturday, the High Commissioner said that the Pakistan had paid a heavy price in the war against terrorism including the life of Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto.

 

Referring to the Mumbai incident of November 26, 2008, the High Commissioner   said that India has resorted to a policy of blame game and propaganda against Pakistan in order to bring bad name to Pakistan despite our sincere offer of cooperation. He, however, praised the British Government for pointing out Kashmir as the real cause of discontentment in the Indo‑Pakistan relations.

 

Talking about the economic difficulties of Pakistan, the High Commissioner said that Pakistan was spending huge amount of money on war on terror. He urged the Pakistani diaspora to invest in Pakistan and help create employment opportunities in the country. He added that the government of Pakistan was giving high priority to the energy sector so that power shortages could be overcome as soon as possible.

 

The High Commissioner stated that peace was returning to Swat following the recent accord between the NWFP Government and TNSM as a result of which the schools of both the boys and the girls were now opening in the valley.

 

 

Replying to a question, the High Commissioner said that the recent political developments in the country were the result of a judicial verdict and that the government should not be blamed for the crisis. In reply to another question, Mr. Wajid Shamsul Hasan revealed that the government of Pakistan was seriously considering the representation of overseas Pakistanis in the country’s parliament.  

 

The meeting was also addressed by Mr. Sajjad Karim, MEP. In his remarks, the MEP pointed out that after the installation of democratic dispensation in Pakistan, there was greater scope of enhancement of trade and economic cooperation between Pakistan and EU. He underscored the need for a serious dialogue between Pakistan and EU at the highest level.

 

The Manchester meeting was part of High Commissioner’s drive to interact with the Pakistani community in Britain and to exchange views with them on matters of vital importance to Pakistan. The meeting was attended by the Councillors of the Pakistani origin of the Northwest and other prominent members of the Pakistani community.

 

Earlier, on arrival in Manchester, Mr. Hasan visited the Town Hall where he was received by the Lord Mayor of Manchester Councillor Mavis Smitheman, Former Lord Mayor of Manchester Councillor Afzal Khan and other Councillors.

 

 

High Commissioner visits Bradford    

 

Mr. Wajid Shamsul Hasan, High Commissioner for Pakistan to United Kingdom addressed a large community gathering at The Mayfield Centre in Bradford on March 1, 2009. The meeting was part of an initiative by the High Commissioner to apprise Pakistani Community in United Kingdom about the issues of vital importance to Pakistan.

 

He briefed the community on Pak-India relations in the backdrop of Mumbai incidents of November 26, 2009, economic situation in Pakistan and the steps being taken by the government to overcome power shortage in Pakistan.

 

Mr. Hasan referred to the Indian attitude of indulging in a blame game after the Mumbai incidents despite Pakistan’s sincere offers of cooperation. He pointed out that Pakistan being a frontline state on the war against terrorism was itself a victim of terrorist attacks. He emphasized that Pakistan had paid a heavy price in the war on terrorism which had affected its economy and had claimed many innocent and precious lives including that of Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto. He praised British government’s role in highlighting Kashmir issue as real cause of discontent in Pak-India relations.

 

He urged Pakistani community to invest in Pakistan and create employment opportunities there. He also informed the community about the steps being taken by the government to revive energy sector in Pakistan to overcome power shortages.

 

He also apprised the community about the peace accord in Swat between the NWFP government and TNSM as a result of which peace was returning to the area and the schools were opening.

 

A large number of guests including councillors, businessmen and professionals from Bradford, Leeds, Huddersfield, Halifax, Sheffield, Middlesbrough, Rotherham, Barnsley and New Castle attended the function.

 

Earlier the High Commissioner attended a lunch hosted in his honour by Raja Najabat Hussain, Chairman Jammu and Kashmir Self Determination Movement which was attended by distinguished and prominent members of the community. He also attended a tea party hosted in his honour by Mr. Asif Nasim Rathor, President, Pakistan Peoples Party, Bradford.