High Commissioner calls on Labour Leader Issues of common interest discussed

H.E. Syed Ibne Abbas, High The High Commissioner felicitated resolving the dispute. He said Pakistan tries. He hoped that upcoming gener- Commissioner to the UK called on La- the Labour Leader on resurgence of is committed to resolving the dispute al elections would further strengthen bour Party under his leadership. He said- peacefully through dialogue. in Pakistan. On High Com- Leader Jeremy Corbyn at the British Pakistan and the UK have historically The High Commissioner also ex- missioner’s reiteration of the invitation Parliament 08 May 2018. The meeting enjoyed robust bilateral relations and pressed concern over UK’s role on meas- to visit Pakistan, Mr. Corbyn said he is was attended by MP, the Labour Party has contributed im- ures related to Financial Action Task very much looking to visiting Shadow and Kate Hol- mensely towards furtherstrengthening Force (FATF). He put across Pakistan’s Pakistan. lern MP, besides senior members of Mr those relations. stance on the matter and underlined The two sides agreed to interact more Corbyn’s office. Speaking about gross human rights Pakistan’s achievements in fight against often on issues of mutual interest. The two sides discussed a wide range violations in the Indian Occupied Kash- terrorism and extremism. of matters of common interest, includ- mir (IOK), the High Commissioner em- Mr Jeremy Corbyn appreciated the ing diaspora, and peace and stability in phasized on the international commu- role of Pakistani diaspora in strengthen- the region. nity, particularly, UK, to play its role in ing the relations between the two coun-

High Commissioner attends Sir Tim Hitchens’ inauguration as the new President of Wolfson College, Oxford

H.E. Syed Ibne Abbas, Pakistan High role. Commissioner to the UK attended in- In his interaction with Sir Tim Hitch- auguration ceremony of Sir Tim Hitch- ens and Prof. Matthew McCartney, Di- ens, CMG LVO as the new President rector of South Asia Studies at Oxford, of Wolfson College, Oxford. The cere- the High Commissioner discussed aca- mony took place in the Haldane Room demic collaboration between Pakistani of Wolfson College, Oxford and was educational institutions and Oxford attended by, among others, Lord Chris University. Professor Matthew McCa- Patten, former Presidents of College, rtney would soon be going to Pakistan Ambassadors, senior government offi- as Visiting Professor. cials and members of academia. The High Commissioner also inter- The High Commissioner felicitated acted with Pakistani students currently Sir Tim Hitchens on his election as the studying at Oxford University. new President of a prestigious institu- tion and wished him well with his new CPEC Seminar at the British Parliament

Experts term CPEC a project of unprecedented economic scale and scope

The experts have said that China the CPEC infrastructure, added High kistan and said reality about the country 2015-30. Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is Commissioner. is quite different from what it is generally Keith Bennett, an expert termed an economic initiative of unprecedented The Coordinator of the seminar, Al- portrayed. He underlined that Pakistan CPEC an inclusive and open project. scale and scope. They were speaking at derman Mushtaq Lasharie CBE, Chair- has great economic potential which Chi- According to him CPEC projects are a seminar organized by All Party Parlia- man Third World Solidarity said that na has rightly recognized and CPEC is located in underdeveloped areas of Pa- mentary Group (APPG) on Third World China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) the manifestation of that recognition. Sir kistan; therefore, they would uplift the Solidarity held at the British Parliament and CPEC are projects of economic inte- Grant emphasized on UK businesses to economic conditions of local people by on 15 May 2018. gration and a large number of countries get involved in CPEC. providing them with job opportunities. H.E. Syed Ibne Abbas, Pakistan High stand to benefit from these initiatives. Kevin Hollinrake MP said that Paki- Other speakers included Faisal Commissioner to UK termed CPEC a Speaking at the seminar, former Sen- stan is one of the fastest growing markets Rashid MP, Aftab Siddiqui, Founder transformative project, focused on eco- ator Javed Jabbar said that CPEC is not in the world and hence offers great op- of UK CPEC Working Group, Jeff Cao, nomic integration of the region. He said just a bilateral project between China portunities for foreign investment. He Economic Adviser to Mayor of there is a huge gap between perception and Pakistan but it is a part of Belt and further said that Pakistan has the entire and Cindy Berman, Director Ethical and reality about Pakistan as well as Road Initiative, and therefore, has global critical infrastructure available for doing Initiative. the CPEC, which needs to be correct- economic ramification. He said CPEC business with. ed. The CPEC would bring about eco- signifies that Pakistan is a very impor- MP termed CPEC a great nomic connectivity and prosperity to tant place for lucrative investments. economic initiative. She quoted the ex- not only Pakistan but to all the three Sir Mark Lyall Grant highlighted the perts predicting that CPEC would create regions which can be connected through issue of global misperception about Pa- 2.3 Million jobs in Pakistan between

Renowned British surgeon Professor Philip Ransley calls on the High Commissioner

Renowned British surgeon Professor Sitara-e-Imtiaz in recognition to his out- Philip Ransley called on H.E. Syed Ibne standing services in the field of surgery Abbas, the High Commissioner at the and education of medical sciences on Pakistan High Commission London on account of his regular visits to Pakistan. 31 May 2018. The High Commissioner appreciated Professor Ransley’s relationship with the services of Professor Ransley for the- Pakistan goes back 25 years which is people of Pakistan and his contributions the time since when he has been visit- to this effect in the field of medicine ing the Institute of Urology and through which thousands of Pakistani Transplantation popularly known at citizens have benefited over successive SIUT which is a specialized care medical years. He also discussed means to fur- institution based in providing ther collaborate in the field of medical treatment to millions of patients suf- science and to benefit from his expertise. fering from kidney, liver and urology The High Commissioner assured Profes- related cancer ailments. He has also sor Ransley of all possible support and been delivering lectures and training facilitation towards this end. young surgeons. Professor Ransley was Professor Ransley is an expert in the instrumental in setting up the pediat- field of pediatric urology and has served ric urology unit at SIUT as recognized as head of the pediatric urology unit of specialty. Great Ormon Street Hospital of London In 2010 the Government of Paki- where he worked for 30 years. stan decorated him with the honor of National Management Course group visits the High Commission

A nine-member group of senior and traditionally enjoy robust relations Commissioner particularly mentioned briefings by expert professionals and civil servants presently attending the which have become even stronger in the year-long activities organized by senior managers in diverse fields and National Management Course (NMC) recent years. the High Commission to celebrate 70th acquainted themselves with the latest at the National School of Public Policy The group was apprised of the posi- Independence Anniversary of Pakistan administrative practices at British in- (NSPP), , visited the Pakistan tive contribution of Pakistani diaspora in 2017. stitutions. High Commission London on 08 May towards UK’s national life, especially Mr Azmat Ali Ranjha, Rector NSPP The National School of Public Policy 2018. Led by Mr Azmat Ali Ranjha, their emerging role in the British pol- thanked the High Commission for ex- (NPSS) Lahore is a premier institution Rector NSPP, the group was on a study itics as manifested in the recent local tending facilitation in organizing the forthe study of public policy, manage- tour of the UK. elections. visit and coordinating the meetings and- ment and related research & analysis in Welcoming the group, H.E. Syed The course participants were in- briefings at the distinguished British Pakistan with the objective of improving Ibne Abbas, the High Commissioner, formed about High Commission’s institutions for the group. the quality of pre and in-service train- briefed the officers on Pakistan-UK re- community outreach programme and The delegation was later hosted over a ingand education of all those engaged lations and the role of Pakistan High efforts to correct perception of the coun- dinner. During their UK tour, the course in public service. Commission in furthering these ties. He try abroad through various cultural and participants visited prestigious British said that both the countries historically social activities. In this regard, the High institutions and attended meetings and

Shoaib Sultan Khan visits the High Commission

Shoaib Sultan Khan, Chairman Board higher level of productivity and better of Directors, Rural Support Programmes price for their produce. He appreciated Network (RSPN)/National Rural Sup- Pakistan High Commission’s support port Programme (NRSP), met H.E. Syed in connecting his delegation with the Ibne Abbas, the High Commissioner, at leading British Rice buyers and other Pakistan High Commission London on relevant organizations. 03 May 2018. He was accompanied by The High Commissioner commend- Dr Rashid Bajwa, CEO NRSP. ed the services of Shoaib Sultan Khan During the meeting,Shoaib Sultan in poverty alleviation and rural devel- Khan briefed the High Commissioner opment. He hoped that NRSP would about his work on poverty alleviation continue its good work for poverty al- in Pakistan and South Asia through the leviation in Pakistan. launch of various Rural Support Pro- grammes especially NRSP. Mr Khan also informed about NRSP’s micro financing initiatives and setting up of a Rice Processing Plant at Hafiza- bad to help the local farmers in securing

RCCI trade delegation visits the High Commission

A delegation of Chamber business events result oriented so that of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) led tangible outcome could be achieved. by Mr. Khursheed Barlas met with H.E. During the last one month five trade Syed Ibne Abbas, the High Commis- delegations from Pakistan have visited sioner on 15 May 2018 at Pakistan High the UK, which shows keen interest of the Commission London. businesses of two countries to enhance During the meeting, RCCI delega- bilateral trade. tion apprised the High Commissioner of their upcoming events at Birming- ham and Manchester in November this year. They also appreciated High Com- mission’s support for their Investment Conference at Birmingham last year. The High Commissioner assured the visiting delegates of Mission’s support to promote bilateral commercial relations. He underlined the need to make such Raga Boyz welcomed at the Pakistan High Commission

Raga Boyz visited the Pakistan Commission’s full support in promoting High Commission London on 16 May their talent. The High Commissioner 2018. Raga Boyz, namely Nayab Ali offered them to perform at the High Khan, Wali Khan and Inam Ali Khan Commission during their next trip to are sons of famous classical singer Ustad the UK, which they agreed to. Hamid Ali Khan and were on their UK At the High Commission, the Raga tour. Among others, Khalid Mehmood Boyz were also presented with a Par- MP and Afzal Khan MP accompanied liamentary shield by Khalid Mehmood the group. A detailed discussion took MP, Afzal Khan MP and the High Com- place on cultural projection, especially missioner. The Raga Boyz belong to promotion of rich of Pakistan. the famous “Patiyala ” of the H.E. Syed Ibne Abbas, Pakistan High sub-continent and are the 9 th genera- Commissioner to the UK commended tion of this family. They perform genres their talent and passion to represent of music like pop, rock, and Pakistan in a positive light in the world. classical fusion music. He termed them true ambassadors of Pakistan and assured the Band of High Pakistan High Commission London observes Solidarity Day with the Palestinians

On the directions of the Prime Minis- the Jumma Prayer. It was expressed that demned. The international communi- It was underscored that crimes com- ter of Pakistan, the Pakistan High Com- the Government and the people of Pa- ty was urged to take immediate action mitted by Israel are not only crimes mission London observed Solidarity kistan stand shoulder to shoulder with against the use of live ammunition by against Palestinians but are indeed Day with the people of Palestine on 18 their Palestinian brothers and sisters. Israel, killing 62 innocent Palestinians crimes against humanity, which need May 2018. A large number of the dias- Full political, moral and diplomatic including women and children and in- to be condemned at all forums. pora and representatives of media were support was expressed on behalf of the juring thousands. in attendance. government and people of Pakistan. The human rights organizations were On this occasion, special prayers The use of force by Israel against in- also appealed to raise their voice against were offered for the Palestinians after nocent Palestinians was strongly con- the atrocities.

Ms Elin Burns, British Deputy High Commissioner in Karachi called Senator (R) Javed Jabbar presenting his book to on H.E. Syed Ibne Abbas, Pakistan High Commissioner to the UK in H.E. Syed Ibne Abbas, Pakistan High Commissioner to the UK his office Not only does the north of Pakistan of three days, there are ceremonies, rival towns of Gilgit and Chitral spend local heritage. The festival also regular- have jaw-dropping scenery, it is a great much dancing and chanting to beating three days battling it out for a coveted ly invites artists and performers from place to immerse one-self in the multi- drums as the Kalash celebrate the com- trophy. But this is wild polo at break- the neighbouring Xinjiang province of tude of cultures and history that you find ing of spring, offer thanks and pray for neck speed allowing the players to really China as well as from Central Asia so there. One great way to experience this a successful year ahead. It is a colourful show off their horsemanship and leav- if you are lucky enough to be visiting at is to visit one the many festivals that will spectacle as the women are instantly rec- ing the masses thrilled and thoroughly this time, you are in for a cultural assault be taking place from the spring through ognisable wearing their traditional black entertained. on the senses. to autumn. robes, adorned with coloured beads and Towards the end of the summer in The first that is worthy of mention is ornate cowrie shelled headdresses. Gilgit-Baltistan is a new initiative set the Kalash Spring Festival of Joshi which Next we go from colour to combat at up in 2014 to promote tourism in North takes place in Mid May. The Kalash, who the Shandur Polo Festival in Mid July. Pakistan – the Silk Route Festival. This claim ancestry as descendants of Alex- This takes place at the picturesque Shan- takes place over three days with events ander the Great’s armies, are the only dur Pass, which has the added adven- taking place simultaneously in venues indigenous people in Pakistan. They ture of being located at 3800m making around Gilgit, Hunza, Nagar and Skar- number only about 3000 in remote val- it the highest polo field in the world. du. The festival showcases aspects of leys near Chitral, KP. Over the course Every year the top polo teams from the art, history, sport, music and traditional