High Commission NewsletterLondon Issue 04 April, 2012 Vol 01

Pakistani cadet wins Sword of Honour at Sandhurst

A reception was held at Pakistan High throughout his career. Commission, London in honour of an The Officer Cadet has also received Officer Cadet Muhammad Talha Zahid following awards at Sandhurst: from Pakistan Army who won the Sword a) The Prince Saud Abdullah Faisal of of Honour for overseas cadets at Royal Saudi Arabia Prize for Overseas Cadet Military Academy, Sandhurst during with Best Academic Scores. 2011-12. The Officer Cadet was b) The Pakistan Defence & successfully commissioned on 13 April International Affairs (DIA) Prize for Best 2012 with excellence and unique pride. Performance at DIA by an Overseas He is the 5th Pakistani Cadet to have Cadet achieved this honour. C) The Brunei Prize for Best Performance at War Studies by an Speaking on the occasion Pakistan Overseas Cadet. High Commissioner for UK Mr. Wajid Shamsul Hasan congratulated the Another Cadet Officer of Pakistan Army Cadet on his remarkable success that Walid Bashir who attended and brought about good name for Pakistan. successfully completed the training at He said that such a success was Sandhurst was also present at the testimony to the high professional reception. Both the commissioned the commissioning ceremony was standards of Pakistan Army which had officers expressed their resolve to attended by the High Commissioner of always stood by its reputation with serve the nation in line with the Pakistan and Colonel Omer Ahmed pride. He urged the Cadet Officer to traditions of Pakistan Army. The Bokhari, Army and Air Advisor at keep up the high standards of reception was attended by all the Pakistan High Commission. professionalism set by Pakistan Army officers of the High Commission. Earlier 'Spring Festival Gala' at Bradford

A 'Spring Festival Gala' was organized the advent of spring and to provide the at Bradford Consulate on April 15, local community with a platform to 2012. The High Commissioner interact with one another. He also participated as the Chief Guest while congratulated Galloway on his victory more than 200 guests from all walks of in election and whished him success in life along with their families attended his future endeavours. the event. George Galloway, newly- Galloway in his speech said that he had MP applauded the role being played by elected Member of the Parliament from always spoken for Kashmiris' right of various ethnic groups in the UK. She Bradford-West and his spouse, Ms. self-determination at all forums and added that she would continue to speak Rachel Reeves, Labour MP from after his election to the British for the Kashmiris at all local and Leeds, local councilors, educationists, parliament would continue to do so. He international forums. The High scholars and businessmen also added that democracy had taken roots Commissioner congratulated attended the function. in Pakistan and emphasized that the Galloway, recipient of Hilal-e-Pakistan The Consul General Syed Sail Abbas in present government must complete its and Hilal-e-Quaid-i-Azam and hoped his welcome remarks stated that the full tenure as per the wishes of the that, being an 'old friend' of Pakistan, he event had been organized to celebrate Pakistani electorate. Rachel Reeves would continue to support Pakistan in all its just causes.

High Commissioner participates in House of Commons discussion

High Commissioner Wajid Shamsul on 18th April 2012. “PLAN C- Finding a political solution for Hasan participated in a panel The event was organized by Mr. Tobias Afghanistan” was the focus of discussion on Afghanistan's relations Ellwood MP, Co-Chair of the All Party discussion by the panelists. with neighboring countries in the Group for Afghanistan. An earlier report region, held in the House of Commons prepared by Mr. Ellwood entitled: Delegation of Majlis Ulema-e-Shia Europe calls on High Commissioner

A four-member delegation of the Shia concerns about the killings of the of Shia community living in Europe and community led by Syed Ali Raza Rizvi, members of their community in demanded from the Government to President Majlis Ulema-e-Shia Europe Pakistan. They urged the High take effective measures to deal with the called on Pakistan High Commissioner Commissioner to convey to the problem. Mr. Wajid Shamsul Hasan to raise their Government of Pakistan the concerns The High Commissioner condemned the killing of members of Shia community and termed it a heinous act of crime. He promised to convey their concerns and recommendations to the Government of Pakistan. The High Commissioner also appreciated the role of Shia Ulema in maintaining peace in the country.

Hazara community members call on the INCENTIVES UNDER High Commissioner FOREIGN EXCHANGE REMITTANCE CARD A delegation of Hazara community measures to deal with those miscreants (FERC) SCHEME living in UK called on Pakistan High involved in target killings and violence Commissioner, Mr. Wajid Shamsul against the Hazara community. Federal Bureau of Revenue, on the Hasan to raise their concerns about the The High Commissioner demand of overseas Pakistanis who recent incidents of violence against the communicated profound concerns of are Foreign Exchange Remittance the Hazara community to the Interior Card (FERC) holders, has incorporated Minister Rehman Malik who promised strict action against the perpetrators. necessary amendments in Baggage Mr. Malik also assured that the Rules 2006 vide SRO No. 69(I)/2012 Government would ensure to provide dated 30-01-2012. Now the FERC security and protect the life and property of the Hazara community of holders would be able to utilize the duty members of their Community in Baluchistan. credit available under rule 5, Baluchistan. They demanded from the The seven-member delegation was led reproduced below. Federal as well as Provincial by Agha Ali Marzook, President of Governments to take effective Hazara International Alliance Forum. “Special allowances for Foreign Exchange Remittance Card holders. In Pakistan Day Special Memorial Service held at addition to the allowances hereinbefore the Westminster Abbey provided, the duty credit as specified in the Table given in the Baggage Rules shall be admissible to a Pakistani national holding Foreign Exchange Remittance Card (FERC) once in a calendar year. The duty credit can also be utilized for the unaccompanied baggage including those seven items with fixed duty i.e. television, deep freezer, refrigerator, microwave oven, cooking range, washing machine and As an established practice, the Commission and their spouses besides air conditioner or any purchase from Westminster Abbey organized a a number of locals attended the event. one of the duty free shops. The duty special Evensong on the occasion of Special prayers were offered for the National Day of Pakistan. The special progress and prosperity of Pakistan credit under this scheme shall not be Memorial Service was held on 30th and its people as well as for the utilizable on import of vehicles. March 2012. The High Commissioner continued friendship between the Utilization of duty credit shall be for Pakistan to the United Kingdom United Kingdom and Pakistan. Deputy endorsed by the customs on the accompanied by the officials of the High High Commissioner Syed Zulfiqar Gardezi read out the second lesson. passport of an FERC holder.” Jinnah Forum celebrates Pakistan Day

Jinnah Forum organized an event on independent, 30 March 2012 to commemorate non- Pakistan Day. The event, held at governmental Memon Hall, Balham, London, was organisation, to attended by around four hundred promote the members of Pakistani community. Mr. message of Wajid Shamsul Hasan, Pakistan's High Quaid-i-Azam Commissioner for the United Kingdom Muhammad Ali was the chief guest. The highlight of the Jinnah and to event was the photo exhibition of serve the needs progress only by following the vision of historical pictures of the founder of the of its members, especially overseas the Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Nation Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Pakistanis. Jinnah. Mr. Hasan said that Quaid-i- Jinnah. Besides, traditional Pakistani Azam wanted a liberal, democratic and culture, music and cuisine were on While speaking on the occasion, the welfare state and it was incumbent display. High Commissioner said Pakistan upon us all to make Pakistan a country Jinnah Forum is a UK based could overcome its problems and make as envisioned by our great leader.

Reception for Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy at Pakistan High Commission

Acid violence is a global problem: Speakers

Pakistan High Commission in London and British Pakistan Foundation (BPF) jointly organized a reception in honour of Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy and her entire team of “Saving Face” film. Sharmeen's film Saving Face has recently won Oscar award for highlighting acid violence against women. In his opening remarks, High Commissioner Wajid Shamsul Hasan Representatives of the Acid Survivors Director BPF said that acid violence paid glowing tribute to Sharmeen and Trust International (ASTI), Acid against women was not exclusively her entire team for highlighting a global Survivors Foundation of Pakistan associated with Pakistan but was a problem of acid crimes against women. (ASF) and British Pakistan Foundation global phenomenon and hence needed He was of the opinion that the film (BPF) also spoke on the occasion and to be addressed accordingly. They also would go a long way in creating briefed the audience about their charity appreciated the legislation recently awareness among the masses about work. done by Parliament of Pakistan against this heinous crime. Mr Hasan the acid crimes and for overall specifically referred to recent Sharmeen said her efforts were protection of women. legislation by Parliament of Pakistan for directed at empowering women protection of women and said it showed through her documentary films so that Sharmeen and other speakers Government's resolve to empower circle of violence against them could be appreciated Pakistani Surgeon Pakistani women. broken globally. Muhammad Jawad for his remarkable work to reconstruct the faces of acid The event featured a short screening of All the speakers including Sharmeen, victims in Pakistan. His work provided the film, brief speeches by Sharmeen, Daniel Junge, John Morrison Chairman the basic inspiration for Sharmeen's the co-director of the film Daniel Junge of ASTI and Suniya Qureshi Executive and a question-answer session. film.

Atif Aslam enthrals London audience

Atif Aslam, the singing sensation from Bollywood singer Sonu Nigam, it was Pakistan enthralled the audience at left to young indefatigable Atif to London's O2 Arena by his singing perform for nearly four hours non-stop performance. O2 Arena is the venue as Sonu Nigam had to cancel last where many larger than life minute due to visa difficulties. characters have performed to huge Atif Aslam's fame and talent make him audiences. Thus Atif joins the ranks of one of the most sought after superstars, stunning everyone with a Bollywood singers and one of fabulous performance. Originally Pakistan's pop royalties. The singer three albums and has a few billed to share the concert with has sold nearly 50 million copies of his Hollywood songs to his credit. Lake Saiful Muluk: A real tourist attraction

With the advent of summer, the Lake Saiful Muluk starts attracting tourists from the world around. A fairy tale called Saiful Muluk, written by the famous sufi poet Mian Muhammad Bakhsh, is associated with the lake. It is the story of the prince of Persia who fell in love with a fairy princess at the lake. The impact of the lake beauty is of such extent that people believe fairies come down to lake in full moon. Lake Saiful Muluk is a lake located at the northern end of the near . It is in the north east of Mansehra District in the Khyber- temperature drops to minus degrees at thousand feet above the ground level of Pakhtunkhwa province, Pakistan. At an night. Naran. This beautiful lake reflects many altitude of 3,224 m above sea level it is Mansehra District has had a vibrant colours in minutes. Lately there has amongst one of the highest lakes in tourism industry in the past due to its been an increased interest in building Pakistan. The weather here is many mountain ranges and the Saiful hotels in the area which will further moderate during day time while the Muluk Lake. This lake is about three attract tourists.

FORTHCOMING EVENTS

chillers, etc. (Petruccio) and Karen David as Bina LAHORE CHAMBER OF (Bianca). COMMERCE & INDUSTRY Economic and Trade Wing, High (LCCI) DELEGATION TO Commission of Pakistan, London The stage drama will provide a unique would, if desired, arrange meetings of VISIT UNITED KINGDOM opportunity to present one of UK businesses with members of LCCI Shakespeare's favorite plays in Urdu. Lahore Chamber of Commerce & delegation for which an email enquiry The play is going to address Industry (LCCI) will be organizing visit can be sent at stereotypical views about Pakistan of its delegation to the UK during the [email protected] or which are invariably biased and to build first fortnight of May, 2012. The [email protected]. charitable, educational and cultural delegation would include members of links across several communities in the Pakistani companies representing UK. sectors e.g. Petrochemicals & The play will be performed on 25 and 26 plasticizers, PVC artificial leathers soft Urdu “Taming of The May 2012 at Globe Theatre London. PVC film, plastic packing and Shrew” Tour 2012 East Oxford and South Yorkshire are chemicals, textile fabric for garments, the other performance venues where school & luggage bags, micro fibre and there are substantial Urdu/Hindi flock adhesive cloth, super market As part of London's 2012 Cultural speaking communities. The members related items, tourism (interested in Olympiad, Shakespeare's Globe of these communities are often socially joint ventures), gift items, hardware and Theatre is presenting Shakespeare's disadvantaged in the UK; the Globe power tools, pharmaceutical raw 37 plays, each performed in a different wants to use this opportunity to raise materials, lubricants oil & greases, language by groups from all over the their self-esteem and appreciation of adhesive tapes, sealants, automobile world. Pakistan will bring an Urdu their cultural heritages in Pakistan and parts, all types of used machinery, version of Taming of the Shrew. the UK. textile weaving fabrics, leather shoes, Leading actors include Pakistan TV men's/children garments, ladies hand personalities Nadia Jamil as Qurat ul bags, electronic goods, power aine (Kate), Shahid Salman as Aba Ji Feedback generators, air conditioners and (Baptista), Omair Rana as Rustam [email protected]