The High Commission for Pakistan in United Kingdom

HE Mr. Wajid Shamsul Hasan’s address at the 57^th Annual Dinner of the Pakistan Society at Lincoln’s Inn, 26 May 2010

Sir Sherard Cowper-Coles,

General Anthony Palmer,

My Lords and Ladies,

Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is indeed a great pleasure for me to speak at the 57^th Annual Dinner of the Pakistan Society at this prestigious premise which is the envy of every Pakistani because the founder of Pakistan Quaid-e-Azam Mohammed Ali Jinnah did his bar from here.

The Pakistan Society deserves our appreciation for the good work it has carried out during the past 57 years. In particular, its seminars and lectures have immensely contributed in raising awareness about Pakistan, its people and culture.

It is heartening to note that most members have had long association with Pakistan. The Society—indeed- has made valuable contribution in bringing British and Pakistanis together and greater understanding in the United Kingdom.

In terms of Pakistan-UK relations this year has been important for many reasons.

First, there has been a change of government in Britain and a coalition government has emerged after May 6 elections. It is, no doubt, a tribute to the British democracy that all sections of its society are represented in the parliament.

Second, for us it is heartening to note that out of nine Muslim members elected in the May 6 elections, seven are of Pakistani origin. For the first time in the British history two women of Pakistani origin have made it to the parliament while for the first time a talented Pakistani woman—Baroness Sayeeda Warsi-- has been made a cabinet minister in recognition of her immense contribution for greater interfaith and communal homogeneity.

Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is indeed a matter of great satisfaction for Pakistan that we enjoy cordial relations with Great Britain. Our President, Prime Minister and Foreign minister were amongst few leaders who first facilitated Prime Minister David Cameron, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg and Foreign Secretary William Hague on phone. We hope our relationship would be further strengthened during the present coalition’s tenure.

I may also add here, last year the two countries entered into a strategic partnership which encompasses all major areas of bilateral activity including political, defense, cultural, trade and investment.

More importantly, Pakistan and Britain have entered into cooperation in the education sector in a big way.
We are also grateful to the British government for enhancing Pakistan’s assistance to the tune of £650 million over a period of four years.
I must reiterate that Britain and Pakistan have long enjoyed good trade relations and many Pakistani businesses see Britain as the country of first choice to do business.
Pakistan and United Kingdom’s bilateral trade during 2009 is valued at USD 1.64 Billion and increased by 3.42%.
During 2009, Pakistan's exports to the U.K. amounted to USD 968 Million and grew by 8%.
The UK is Pakistan's fourth largest trading partner among OECD countries
The UK Foreign Direct Investment to Pakistan was USD 175 Million during 2008-09. The UK is one of the top investors to Pakistan and the second largest OECD investor to Pakistan.
Pakistan has gained top ranking amongst its South Asian competitors according to the IFC - World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business 2010 report.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

However, Pakistan is confronted today with the scourge of extremism and terrorism. Who knows better than Sir Sherard that we are fighting an enemy which is faceless, immoral and determined to impose its obscurantist ideology through coercion. At one stage last year, thanks to the dramatics of today’s round the clock media, even the international community got unnerved to the extent that Secretary of State Hilary Clinton called Taliban activities as a “mortal threat” to Pakistan.

However, the democratic government, with the support of all the major political elements and its valiant armed forces spearheading, not only succeeded in turning the tables against these extremist elements but also made them run.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

In order to meet the challenges posed by the extremists and terrorists, the democratic government has adopted a three-D policy of Dialogue, Development and Deterrence. This policy has worked in a satisfactory manner.

Therefore, the situation in Swat and Malakand has been retrieved from the brink as a result of operation in those districts in April last year.
Another operation was launched In October last year in South Waziristan and adjacent tribal agencies in order to completely flush out extremists.

The government’s operations have achieved tremendous success and we can say with confidence that the back of the militancy has been broken. The government’s strategy has also yielded a host of positive results:

First, tables have been turned against the Taliban phenomenon; the entire political spectrum stands united behind government’s action against the extremist elements.
Second, no one is accusing the government of acting against the extremists at the behest of foreign powers, for they have realized that these elements were out to challenge our way of life.
Third, the people of Swat and Malakand and the tribal region bravely endured the untold sufferings during their displacement from their homes. Most of the dislocated from Swat and Malakand have since returned to their homes and the Taliban are on the run or surrendering to the government.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Let me make it clear that Pakistan alone cannot be expected of controlling the situation along our borders with Afghanistan. We are not the only neighbour of Afghanistan. Naturally, we are concerned about the situation in Afghanistan. The London Conference held in January this year has set the ball rolling in seeking desired peace and stability in Afghanistan and has taken into account Pakistan’s concerns, which have been made known to our international partners and the government of Afghanistan. The following steps need to be taken on urgent basis:

First, we strongly believe that immediate measures should be taken to curb the flow of arms and latest communication equipment into Pakistan from Afghanistan.
Second, international community should cooperate for the repatriation of 3 million Afghan refugees from Pakistan to their country.
Third, eradication of poppy in Afghanistan is equally important to discourage those elements who want to perpetuate instability in Afghanistan and the region. One of the beneficiaries of the narcotics business are the Taliban.
Fourth, the drone attacks must stop immediately as these attacks are counterproductive, hurting our sovereignty and national unity. We have urged our American friends to handover the drone technology to Pakistan which we can use much effectively and would not be a source of concern in the country or their use considered as an infringement of our sovereignty by foreigners.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

As I mentioned earlier, the government’s action against extremists enjoys the support of all the political forces and the people. We have no doubt in our minds that we will succeed in our endeavours. While we appreciate the support of the international community, particularly the UK, on Pakistan’s endeavours in defeating obscurantist forces in the country, we would like our friends, specially the media, to change their perceptions about Pakistan’s lack of resolve in tackling these challenges.

Secondly, we also need to appreciate the fact that our friends in NATO are grappling with the situation in Afghanistan during the past nine years despite the fact that they possess state of the art weapons and equipment. Pakistan does not possess the same amount and quality of weapons and equipment. However, since our institutions have the capability and strength to encounter these challenges, they are able to respond to the challenges posed by terrorists and extremists more effectively.

Thirdly, our friends in EU should realize the heavy price Pakistan has been paying in the war on terrorism. We are not responsible for what happened in 9/11. But we are in the forefront against the terrorist scourge and are succeeding. And in the process we have suffered tremendous economic losses. As the President of Pakistan has said on so many occasions that “Pakistan does not need aid but trade”, the current discriminatory quota restrictions on Pakistan by EU are hurting us badly. Unfortunately, Pakistan’s endeavours to gain greater market access through GSP Plus and EU-Pakistan FTA have not met with success.

Ironically, Pakistan has been unfairly pitted against the South Asian competitors at a time when Pakistan faces the scourge of terrorism while its competitions are facilitated with trade preferences. This discrimination needs to be corrected.

Lastly, we are confident that the new coalition government would continue to plead Pakistan’s case for preferential market access at the EU. I am also confident that Pakistani Diaspora would play its positive role in further strengthening the relationship between the two great nations, which enjoy historic relationship and share many common values. And definitely, the Pakistan Society would be at the forefront of presenting Pakistan as a friend and a reliable partner to British people.

Before I conclude I would request for a one-minute silence for a great friend of Pakistan UK’s Defence Adviser in Islamabad, Brig Alasdair Loudon who passed away in his hometown Edinburgh on 21 May 2010 following a surgery.

Brig Loudon was an Infantryman from the Scottish Royal Highland Regiment Black Watch. He did an operational tour of Afghanistan in 2006. Before his appointment at the British High Commission in Islamabad he attended the National Defence University in Islamabad from 2008-2009. He assumed his charge as the Defence Adviser in Islamabad on 11 September 2009.

I thank you for your patience.

May 26, 2010