Issue:10, Vol: 3 October 2014 PPAAKKIISSTTAANN RReevviieeww Monthly Newsletter of High Commission, London Prime Minister raised Kashmir issue at UNGA r i m e M i n i s t e r stance on UN reforms, Mr Sharif Sustainable Development Goals. first. Mr Sharif also called upon M u h a m m a d N a w a z said there should be no new He informed that at the national the international community to Sharif in a wide-ranging permanent seats in the Council as level, Pakistan had launched its address the challenges of climate P th address to the 69 UN General it would be contrary to the Vision 2025, which puts people change. Assembly on 26 September 2014 democratic character of this made an emphatic call for world body. The Prime Minister resolution of Jammu and condemned all forms of Kashmir conflict and termed it t e r r o r i s m a n d r e i t e r a t e d imperative for peace, security Pakistan's commitment to fighting and economic uplift of South this menace. He also underscored Asia. The Prime Minister also Pakistan's commitment to called upon the international highest standard of nuclear community to resolve the issue safety but at the same time of Kashmir in accordance with advocated for Pakistan's full the wishes of the Kashmiris. a c c e s s t o c i v i l n u c l e a r technology for development In order to build peaceful purposes. neighbourhood and to resolve outstanding issues in South Asia, The Prime Minister stated that the Prime Minister emphasized peace, stability, and inclusive on constructive engagement and economic growth should be our dialogue. Giving Pakistan's priorities to achieve the Pakistan participated in the NATO Summit 2014 cting High Commissioner termed peace, stability and deepening Mohammad Imran Mirza led of democracy in Afghanistan of vital Athe Pakistan delegation to the interest to Pakistan. The Acting High NATO Summit 2014 in Wales on 4-5 Commissioner said the government of September 2014. Ukraine, Afghanistan and future of the Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was NATO Alliance were at the top of the committed to the policy of peaceful Summit agenda. Addressing the main neighbourhood and hoped for a similar session on Afghanistan, Mr Mirza said reciprocity from neighbours. Pakistan and NATO shared common objectives of promoting global peace Mr Mirza also attended the reception and were partners in the international coalition against terrorism. He hosted by HRH Prince Charles and the commended NATO's sustained dinner hosted by Deputy Prime engagement with Afghanistan and Minister Nick Clegg. Pakistani diaspora appreciated by Deputy Prime Minister

ritish Deputy Prime Pakistani diaspora in the enriched the country culturally, Commissioner Mohammad Minister Rt Hon Nick progress of the United Kingdom socially and politically. Mr Nick Imran Mirza appreciated BC l e g g M P h a s and acknowledged that the Clegg was speaking at the 2nd substantive progress made by the commended the contribution of Pakistani community has Integration Dinner organized by WCOP in creating better the World Congress of Overseas understanding and fostering Pakistanis (WCOP) in London stronger bonds of friendship on 30 September 2014. He between the Pakistani and other a p p r e c i a t e d P a k i s t a n i communities across the United community's ethos of hard work Kingdom. He acknowledged the and their successful integration British Government for its into the British society while generous assistance in health and also retaining their Pakistani education sectors of Pakistan. identity. The Deputy Prime Mr Mirza particularly thanked Minister termed UK-Pakistan Mr Clegg for his support to relations extraordinarily strong Pakistan during 2010 floods and and friendly and assured his in securing GSP Plus status in government's continued support EU for Pakistan. Rt Hon Simon to Pakistan in varied sectors of Hughes MP and Sajjad Karim development. MEP and Chair WCOP also In his address Acting High addressed the audience. Tourism can build bridges and contribute to peace: Senator Pervaiz Rashid n a world struggling for 2014. He said Pakistan had a peaceful coexistence, huge potential for cultural Itourism can build bridges tourism which could pave way and contribute to peace. This was for cultural exchanges among stated by Senator Pervaiz the people from diverse regions. R a s h i d , M i n i s t e r f o r Information, Broadcasting and The Minister informed that the National Heritage while chairing government was taking all a meeting of the Board of necessary steps to further Directors of Pakistan Tourism explore the avenues for the Development Corporation in promotion of cultural tourism in Rawalpindi on 23 September Pakistan. Why Kashmir is still important: Victoria Schofield gave a talk at Pakistan High Commission

enowned broadcaster the rise of extremism in South Imran Mirza was also present on the issue; and 5) The dispute is and writer Victoria Asia could be used by non-state the occasion. resulting into tremendous waste RS c h o f i e l d h a s actors to de-stabilize not only the Ms Schofield said that Kashmir of resources which could be used emphasized the importance of state of Jammu and Kashmir but should be on our agenda due to to alleviate poverty in both the resolving the Kashmir dispute on also the entire region. Victoria the following five reasons: 1) Its countries by resolving the issue. humanitarian level for the good Schofield expressed these views status is disputed which must be While the speaker urged both of all the inhabitants of South during her talk at the Pakistan resolved; 2) Both the countries, India and Pakistan to resolve the Asia. She has also warned of the High Commission London 17 i.e. India and Pakistan, possess danger of Kashmir remaining a September 2014. Acting High nuclear arms and any escalation conflict, she also made it clear potential flashpoint, which, with Commissioner Mohammad in conflict can lead to mutual that no permanent resolution self-destruction; 3) could be achieved without Non-state actors, including the Kashmiris in the by fuelling the hate process. narrative, can take Sir William Blackburne advantage of the moderated the talk which ended lingering dispute at a Q & A session. The event and push the region was jointly organized by into dangerous Pakistan High Commission c o n f l i c t ; 4 ) London and The Pakistan H u m a n i t a r i a n a s p e c t o f t h e Society and was attended by a dispute calls for an cross-section of British society urgent resolution of and Pakistani community. Debate in British Parliament on Kashmir Back Bench Business David Nuttal, Simon Danczuk, Committee of the J o h n S p e l l a r , S h a b a n a ABritish Parliament Mahmood, Jason McCartney, debate took place on 11 Paul Uppal, Virendra Sharma, September 2014 on the political Stephen Pound and Gavin and humanitarian situation in Shuker. The Parliamentary Kashmir. The debate was Under-Secretary of State for requisitioned on the request of Foreign and Commonwealth David Ward, Liberal Democrat Affairs Tobias Ellwood, MP, also MP for Bradford East while Raja attended the event. Amongst the Najabat Hussain, Chairman prominent guests who witnessed Jammu & Kashmir Self the debate was former Prime Determination Movement UK & Minister of Azad Kashmir Europe, was the driving force Barrister Sultan Mahmood b e h i n d t h e e v e n t . T h e Chaudhry. participants of the debate The main objective of the debate included MPs from almost all was not only to highlight the time of its partition, to play a role Kashmir. However, these political parties in the UK plight of the people of Indian in resolving the dispute. resolutions remain unfulfilled including Philip Hollobone Occupied Kashmir but also to Kashmir is the oldest unresolved till date due to stubborn attitude (Chairman), Philip Davies, John declare that it was an obligation issue on the agenda of the United of India. Pakistan provides Hemming, Khalid Mahmood, on the part of the British Nations. There are a number of political, moral and diplomatic A n d r e w G r i f f i t h s , B o b Government, being the former UN Security Council resolutions support to the people of Kashmir Blackman, Gregory Barker, rulers of India and the architects which grant the right to self- in their struggle for right to self- Steve Baker, Barry Gardiner, of the map of subcontinent at the determination for the people of determination. Defence Day of Pakistan commemorated at Pakistan High Commission a k i s t a n H i g h terrorism and said in our Commission, London pursuit of regional and global Pc o m m e m o r a t e d t h e peace so far over 50,000 Defence Day of Pakistan to pay Pakistanis had laid their lives homage to the martyrs who laid and the economy had suffered a their lives for the country. A loss of $100 billion. Defence Day reception was held at the High Commission on Defence & Naval Adviser, 9 September 2014 to mark the Commodore Mushtaq Ahmed occasion. It was attended in large SI (M) welcomed the guests numbers by Defence Attaches, and highlighted the importance representatives of the Foreign & of the day. Army & Air Adviser C o m m o n w e a l t h O f f i c e , Colonel Zulfiqar Ali Bhatty prominent members of Pakistani gave a brief insight on community, think tanks notables Pakistan's ongoing military and media representatives. efforts for peace and stability.

Addressing the audience, Acting particularly the Defence Forces of the world as outlined by the A candle light vigil and one- H i g h C o m m i s s i o n e r for safeguarding the sovereignty founder of Pakistan Quaid-i- minute silence were observed in Mohammad Imran Mirza of the country. He underlined the Azam . the memory of martyrs and a highlighted the significance of basic tenets of Pakistan's foreign Mr Mirza also highlighted group of school children sang the day and paid rich tributes to policy which are friendliness and Pakistan's unprecedented popular national songs to mark the people of Pakistan, goodwill towards all the nations sacrifices in global war on the occasion. Cadet's outstanding performance at the Sandhurst Military Academy n k e e p i n g w i t h t h e He won three awards: “The General Sir Peter Wall GCB outstanding traditions of Overseas Award”, “The CBE ADC Gen. Ithe Pakistan's Armed Queen's Medal Table” and Forces, Cadet Saheer Ullah “HRH Prince Saud Abdullah The Sovereign's parade took Khan graduated from the Royal Faisal of Saudi Arabia Prize”. place at Royal Military Military Academy (RMA) In a spectacular ceremony, the Academy (RMA) Sandhurst Sandhurst with flying colours. awards were presented by on 08 August 2014.

akistan Consulate General undertaken by the Government about the human casualties and Community in in Manchester organized a of Pakistan. Consul General Dr other material losses during Manchester Pcommunity meeting on 22 Z a h o o r A h m e d m a d e a the flood. The Consul General September 2014 to brief the presentation that was attended urged the participants to briefed on floods community on the damages by a large number of Pakistani donate generously through the caused by recent floods in community elders, elected government channels or in Pakistan Pakistan as well as the relief and councillors and businessmen. private charities to provide rehabilitation efforts being The attendees were informed relief for the flood affectees. Literary Evening with Dr Muhammad Kamran he Consulate General of since long. Mr. Sheraz Ali Zahid Arif. The poets received by Consul General Dr Zahoor Pakistan at Manchester Lecturer Department thunderous applause by the avid Ahmed who promised to Torganized a Literary University of Manchester read a lovers of poetry. The event continue promoting Pakistani art Evening on 18 September, 2014 short paper on the academic and concluded with a vote of thanks and culture in the UK. in the honour of Dr Muhammad literary achievements of Dr Kamran, Head, Department of Muhammad Kamran. Urdu University Oriental Dr Kamran in his keynote College . The Consulate a d d r e s s h i g h l i g h t e d t h e General in collaboration with importance of Urdu language as a Circle of Literary Friends (CLF) mark of national identity and organized the event which was cultural pride for the British attended by prominent poets, citizens of Pakistani heritage. He artists and community leaders. recited many of his poems and Community Welfare Counsellor also read some interesting Sajid Mehmood Qazi welcomed excerpts from his latest the guests and introduced the travelogue entitled, 'Gaaf Say objectives of the Evening. The Gurya Jeem Say Japani'. president of the CLF Mr M. Prominent poets who recited Anwar recounted the cultural their poetry included Ghazal traditions created and promoted Ansari, Basir Kazmi, Ms by CLF through organizing Sabeena Khan, Makhdoom literary evenings and mushairas Amjad Shah, Dr Qaiser Zaidi and Dr Muhammad Kamran, Consul General Dr Zahoor Ahmed and Basir Kazmi Festivals of Pakistan iven our rich cultural wear the traditional Ajrak and culture of the province with July where teams from Gilgit and heritage, it is no surprise Topi and enjoy mega musical similar displays of races and Chitral compete for the coveted Gthat there are festivals events and cultural shows all handicrafts but in the more trophy over three days. During throughout the year marking the over the province. dramatic open surroundings with the day there are cultural shows significant milestones in the The Horse and Cattle Show in mountains to the north and desert from both Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa cultural life of Pakistan. Festivals Lahore in March each year is to the south. inject life and vigour into our definitely one to visit. It was first The most colourful of the and Gilgit-Baltistan as the pass held in 1954 and was initially a festivals in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa military fanfare but now includes is the Kalash Spring festival of cattle races and dances, tent Joshi in May where the local pegging, folk music, cultural people celebrate the coming of floats and traditional games. spring with much dancing and Then there is the Sibi Mela in merriment as they offer thanks Balochistan. Held in February in and pray for a successful year this historic town the festival ahead. traces its roots to the 15th century. For Gilgit-Baltistan the highlight Like in Punjab, it showcases the is the Shandur Polo Festival in

people and keep traditions alive marks the boundary between for future generations. Festivals them. The evening easily takes have now become significant you into the early hours with tourist attractions in Pakistan. much singing and dancing long Here are some examples. after the polo has finished. Sindhi Cultural Day or Ekta Day as it is known is held in the first week of December. Many would These are but a few of the many festivals of Pakistan. Rahat Fateh Ali Khan at Pakistan High Commission

o r l d r e n o w n e d Fateh Ali Khan presented some Pakistani singer o f h i s p o p u l a r WRahat Fateh Ali songs and received thunderous Khan, was hosted over an applause from the audience. exclusive dinner at the Pakistan Rahat Fateh Ali Khan is an High Commission London on 2 acclaimed Pakistani singer. He September 2014. He was is nephew of legendary Ustad received by Acting High Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. Rahat is Commissioner Mohammad equally accomplished in Imran Mirza and other officers Qawwali and Ghazal singing. of the High Commission. A He is popular as a Bollywood select gathering of notables and Lollywood playback singer The evening at the Pakistan immense contribution in H i g h C o m m i s s i o n w a s from Pakistani and other and has millions of fans in introducing the exquisite communities attended the Pakistan and India as well as organized to acknowledge dinner. After the dinner, Rahat around the world. Rahat Fateh Ali Khan's Pakistani music to the world. Honour for Pakistan Women's Team akistan Women's Cricket two for 13 runs. Team has won gold medal , making a strong in Asian Games 2014 at P d a s h f o r t h e r e v i s e d Incheon in . Duckworth-Lewis target of 43 , after the victory, said that the team effort paved the from seven overs following a way through. Pakistan retained heavy downpour during the the women's Twenty20 cricket break, scored 38-9 to lose by gold medal by defeating four runs. Skipper Sana Mir, Bangladesh in the final. and claimed two wickets each. Pakistan, electing to bat after winning the toss, were restricted President Mamnoon Hussain to 97-6 by a steady Bangladeshi and Prime Minister of Pakistan attack. Muhammad Nawaz Sharif top-scored with 24 and leg- felicitated the team on their spinner Rumana Ahmed claimed outstanding performance.

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