Qamar Javed Bajwa, COAS, hosted at the High Commission

During his official visit to the UK, in and achievements in efforts missioner, welcomed the Chief of Army All Pakistanis expressed their pride General Qamar Javed Bajwa, Chief of to fight against terrorism and militancy. at the High Commission. In his in role and contributions of Staff (COAS) attended a Recep- He hailed the role of overseas Pakistanis brief remarks on the occasion, the High Army towards well-being of Pakistan. tion Dinner held in his honour by the towards the progress of Pakistan and Commissioner commended the role of During his UK visit, the COAS held High Commission for Pakistan, London. pledged that the Pakistan Army would Pakistan Army in successfully fighting important meetings with the high level The COAS interacted with the UK- continue to perform its due role towards the forces of extremism and terrorism. British military and security officials and based Pakistani community and ap- ensuring the security of Pakistan. He said Pakistan was on the path of discussed issues of common interest. prised them about the current situation H.E. Syed Ibne Abbas, the High Com- peace, progress and development. Business Roundtable on CPEC in London

A Business roundtable on UK partici- my, thus creating enormous opportuni- pation in the China-Pakistan Economic ties for the global corporate enterprises. Corridor (CPEC) - a flagship project Strengthening trade and economic ties of China’s broader ‘One Belt One Road in the region and beyond remains the (OBOR)’ initiative - was organized by central plank of Prime Minister Nawaz the Department of International Trade Sharif‘s vision of ‘Peace for develop- at Foreign & Commonwealth Office ment’ and ‘peaceful neighbourhood’. In (FCO) London on 04 April 2017. this context, the transformative CPEC The meeting was attended by Rt Hon is not only a game changer for Pakistan Greg Hands, Minister of State for Inter- but for the entire region. He also high- national Trade, H.E. Syed Ibne Abbas, The representatives of the three countries lighted the successes which Pakistan Pakistan High Commissioner to the has achieved on the economic front in UK, H.E. Thomas Drew, British High expressed their resolve to work together to the recent past. Commissioner to Pakistan, H.E. Liu The Chinese Ambassador stated that Xiaoming, Chinese Ambassador to the implement the CPEC project successfully for relations between Pakistan and China UK, besides other senior officials of the the benefit of all the partners are mutually beneficial. He noted that three countries. Other Participants at Pakistan’s geographic position, demo- the roundtable included experts from graphic dividend, and economic poten- CityUK, RUSI, and the China-Britain tial would continue to give the CPEC a Business Council. great advantage and would enable the The representatives of the three coun- Corridor to play a bigger role in pro- tries expressed their resolve to work to- moting regional connectivity and co- gether to implement the CPEC project operation. That, in turn, will contribute successfully for the benefit of all the to regional peace, stability and prosper- partners. ity, added the Ambassador. He further International Trade Minister Greg stated that the One Belt One Road in- Hands said: “Britain is a country of glob- itiative is open to all and so far more al influence and can be an important than 100 countries and International partner for China and Pakistan in the organizations have expressed support delivery of the China-Pakistan Econom- for this initiative. The Ambassador wel- ic Corridor which has the potential to comed British Government’s desire to build closer links between our countries. participate in the delivery of CPEC and We have a clear ambition to increase advised them to engage in dialogue to trade with both China and Pakistan and identify specific business opportunities; UK businesses are well placed to capi- leverage British strengths especially in talize on the new opportunities in the the services sector and take a long-term region.” view while making investment decisions In his remarks, the Pakistan High tested and exemplary in state relations. structure, energy, Special Economic in CPEC. Commissioner stated that excellent ties On CPEC, he said that $54 Billion in- Zones and Gwadar port would give the between Pakistan and China are time vestment in four areas namely infra- necessary impetus to Pakistan’s econo- High Commissioner pays rich tributes to Sir Gerald Kaufman MP

In honour of Sir Gerald Kaufman which, he was conferred prestigious civil MP, a Memorial Tribute was held at the High Commissioner Syed Ibne Abbas award of the country Hilal-e-Pakistan House of Lords. by the Government.” Speaking on the occasion H.E. Syed termed Sir Gerald Kaufman MP (Late), a The Memorial was attended by sev- Ibne Abbas, the High Commissioner eral Lords, MPs and members of the termed him a true friend of Pakistan true friend of Pakistan as well as the voice Pakistani community. All paid glowing as well as the voice of the voiceless and tributes to Sir Gerald Kaufman as a great vulnerable segments of humanity. He of the voiceless and vulnerable segments of parliamentarian and great human being. said: “Sir Gerald Kaufman MP was a veteran British parliamentarian, a wise humanity. man, and a great human being, who will be missed by all who knew him; a larger standards in politics and always stood the oppressed people. He was a true than life and iconic figure who set high for rightful causes and for the rights of friend of Pakistan, in recognition of

Vice Chancellors of Pakistani Universities visit the High Commission

The Delegates hoped that such high level exchanges would strenghthen institutional linkages between the two countries, encourage innovation and enhance leadershio qualities of the participants

A group of Vice-Chancellors, Oxford Institute in the UK, and organ- Pakistan students and develop linkag- ties between the UK and Pakistan. Pro-Vice-Chancellors, Deans and ized by the HEC and the British Council. es between the academic institutions The delegates also gave an overview Rectors of Pakistani Universities and It focused on equipping delegates with of the two countries. He hoped that of the education system of Pakistan and senior officials of the Higher Education knowledge and skills required to achieve despite visa restrictions and high fees, the reforms being carried out to im- Commission (HEC) of Pakistan visited quantitative and qualitative improve- there would be an increase in number of prove the research and curriculum. They the Pakistan High Commission London ment in their institutions. Pakistani students in the UK universities hoped that such high-level exchanges followed by a reception dinner on 31 H.E. Syed Ibne Abbas, Pakistan High after the completion of the Brexit pro- would strengthen institutional linkages March 2017. Commissioner to the UK welcomed the cess. The High Commissioner also ap- between the two countries, encourage The group was on a week-long Lead- delegation and informed them about preciated the role of the British Council innovation and enhance leadership ership Training Programme hosted by Mission’s efforts to facilitate visiting in promoting educational and cultural qualities of the participants. On the eve of 79th death anniversary philosophy, especially Iqbal’s universal- of the poet, philosopher Allama Iqbal, ity and message of hope, his vision of rich tributes were paid to him at a Me- Mushaira was aimed to promote the literary a separate homeland for the Muslims hfil-e-Mushaira (poetic recital), at the culture of Pakistan as well as reinvigorate a of the sub-continent and his role as a Pakistan High Commission London on great leader. Likewise, Mr. Chaudhri 21 April 2017. The High Commission sense of pride, belonging and hope among appreciated the poets and scholars for organized the event in collaboration their efforts and hard work in serving with the Urdu Markaz London. the Pakistani community living in the UK the national language and reiterated Besides remembering Allama Iqbal, Mission’s commitment to promoting the Mushaira was aimed to promote the Urdu language and Pakistani culture. literary culture of Pakistan as well as cordance with the occasion and received poetry, philosophy, and personality. Dr Javaid Sheikh and Mr Zahid Jatoi, reinvigorate a sense of pride, belonging applause from the audience. Broadcaster Durdana Ansari OBE First Secretary moderated the event. A and hope among the Pakistani com- Renowned scholars of Iqbaliat Pro- presented Allama Iqbal’s poems in her large number of Pakistani community munity living in the UK. Acting High fessor Iftikhar Malik, Professor Dr. melodious voice and amused the au- and representatives of media attended Commissioner Zahid Hafeez Chaudhry Muhammad Sharif Baqa, and Barris- dience. the Mushaira. presided over the event. ter Salim Qureshi delivered brief talks In his welcome remarks, the Acting The poets from across the UK recited on Allama Iqbal and enlightened the High Commissioner deliberated upon their popular poems and ghazals in ac- attendees about various aspects of his various dimensions of Iqbal’s poetry and Activities at the Pakistan Consulates Azadi Celebration Classic Bodybuilding 2017

To celebrate the 70th year of Pakistan’s officially designated him as Youth Am- towards bringing British-Pakistani and initiative taken by the consulate as well independence, one of the many events bassador of the consulate. wider British community together. He as performance of the athletes from Pa- planned for 2017 was a Bodybuilding The event was organized in cooper- said: “Community cohesion and inte- kistan heritage and encouraged them to contest titled “Azadi Celebration Clas- ation with the International Federation gration remained our top priorities. It participate in such events. He offered sic 2017” at Birmingham’s historic and of Bodybuilding (IFBB), the national was for this reason that we were always his cooperation for any such event in iconic building, the Town Hall, on 9 affiliate from the UK. A large number organizing one event or other: events future as well. April 2017. Councillor John Clancy, of wider British communities attended that were not only beneficial for Paki- Mr. John Clancy, in his remarks, Leader of the Birmingham City Coun- the event both as spectators and com- stani diaspora in the West Midlands & deeply admired the activities of the Con- cil graced the event as the Chief Guest. petitors. Wales but also effective in promoting sulate. He said that during current times, Rahat Ali Shah won the overall title In his welcome remarks, Consul Syed harmony in the wider context of Paki- sports were all the more important to of Men’s Master Physique in Azadi Cele- Ahmed Maroof highlighted that the stan-UK bilateral relations.” promote health activities in any society. bration Classic. He hails from Pakistan. Consulate of Pakistan in Birmingham Mr. William Tierney, President UK- Consul General Syed Ahmed Maroof always considered it as its duty to work BFF, in his remarks, appreciated the

Bradford Consulate take part in ‘Tour De Yourkshire’

As part of celebrations of 70 years of was held in Bradford City Hall on 30 Independence, and to promote Pakistani April 2017. Pakistani horses performed Culture in Yorkshire region, the Consu- and danced on music tunes while Paki- late of Pakistan, Bradford took part in stani children performed in traditional UK’s biggest and most prestigious event Pakistani dresses in the ceremony. The of Yorkshire region. ‘Tour de Yorkshire’, ceremony was opened by the Lord May- a cycle race which is a prologue to world or of Bradford and around 50,000 people famous ‘Tour de France’. attended the ceremony. The Consulate was part of the Cara- The 3-day event was telecast live glob- van of the race for all three days which ally by 177 TV channels with 11.4 Mil- travelled around 550 K.M. throughout lion global TV viewers across Eurosport the Yorkshire region. Traditional ‘Paki- and ITV. There were around 2 million stan Bus’ was very popular in the event. roadside spectators who witnessed the Pakistan souvenirs, T-shirts and pens race and the caravan in all three days were distributed among the crowds with around 109 Million Twitter, Face- which welcomed the caravan in 30 cit- book etc., viewers. ies enroute. The opening ceremony of the event For many, the very mention of the Silk neering projects for centuries, to trace akoram, the Himalaya and the Hindu Along the way you’ll be Road conjures up romantic images of the ancient Silk Road and construct a Kush. amazed by a very different travellers and caravans of camels making 1200km road across some of the high- The KKH has recently been resur- Pakistan and welcomed by their way on epic journeys through Asia. est mountains in the world and ripping faced and in many sections rebuilt which the many different cultures The ‘Road’ was never just one road but a through some of the most inhospitable has made for a more comfortable ride and traditions of the people series of interlinked trade paths between terrain known to man. This was the Kar- and more importantly reduced travel that have made the moun- the Mediterranean and the Orient and akoram Highway or KKH and it was times to the tourist destinations such tains their home. for over a thousand years it was the best finally opened to the public in 1986 but as Hunza, Chitral and Skardu. known trade route in the world trans- not before over a thousand brave men Today no adventure in Pakistan is porting not just silk but all manner of lost their lives during its construction. complete without a magical journey exotic goods. It also opened up tourism in North along the KKH. Whether it’s to access One branch of this ancient network Pakistan and leads you into the heart of the endless trekking opportunities or connected modern day Islamabad in some of the most jaw dropping moun- to immerse yourself in the history of Pakistan to the city of Kashgar in China. tain scenery on earth. It passes through the region by following in the footsteps In 1966, Pakistan and China em- the junction point of the three highest of Marco Polo and the campaigns of barked upon one of the biggest engi- mountain ranges in the world: the Kar- Alexander the Great. “Pakistan Fashion Week will be a tribute to the 70 years of Pakistan’s fashion industry, and will provide an opportunity for the leading fashion designers of the country to showcase their talent at the iconic Lancaster House. Besides, it will present a unique opportunity to introduce our textile and apparel industry to the UK market. I welcome the Pakistani talent to the fashion world of London.” H.E. Syed Ibne Abbas

The High Commission for Pakistan in ingham Palace. H.E. Syed Ibne Abbas, Pakistan High a unique opportunity to introduce our London and Riwayat are pleased to an- The event is part of a series of events Commissioner to the UK said: “Pakistan textile and apparel industry to the UK nounce that collectively they will pres- planned by the High Commission to Fashion Week will be a tribute to the market. I welcome the Pakistani talent ent work by leading Pakistani fashion celebrate the 70th Independence Anni- 70 years of Pakistan’s fashion industry, to the fashion world of London.” designers for the annual Pakistan Fash- versary of Pakistan throughout 2017. It and will provide an opportunity for the ion Week (PFW) taking place from the aims to give the public an opportunity leading fashion designers of the country 20th May 2017 at the Lancaster House, to celebrate fashion and its universal to showcase their talent at the iconic a prestigious venue overlooking Buck- relevance. Lancaster House. Besides, it will present