Rich tributes to the Father of the Nation Quaid’s Bust unveiled at the British Museum; installed at the Lincoln’s Inn Speaking on the occasion, the Mayor of London said: “I’m proud to be part of this event to honour the great Muham- mad Ali Jinnah, particularly as someone of Pakistani heritage. Muhammad Ali Jinnah is a pivotal figure in history but is also still an inspiration to us today - not just to Pakistanis, but to millions around the world. “As a champion of democracy, wom- en’s rights and religious freedom, Mu- hammad Ali Jinnah will always be some- one who millions admire. I look forward to visiting Karachi, the city where he was born, during my first official visit as Mayor of London to Pakistan. The High Commission for Pakistan, “My ambition is to strengthen the ties London paid rich tributes to the between London and Pakistan, to share Father of the Nation, Quaid -i- Azam the message that London is open and to Muhammad Ali Jinnah by installing his encourage more Pakistanis to follow in Bust at his alma mater, the prestigious Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s footsteps by Lincoln’s Inn. visiting, studying and working in our The Bust was unveiled at the his- great city.” toric British Museum in a dignified The internationally acclaimed British ceremony on 28 November 2017. This sculptor, Philip Jackson sculpted the was the grand finale of the year-long Bust. celebrations organized by the Pakistan On 29 November 2017, the High High Commission London to mark Commissioner installed the Bust at the the 70th Independence Anniversary Lincoln’s Inn Library in a small cere- of Pakistan. mony. Mayor of London Sadiq Khan who Those who attended the installation was the Chief Guest at the ceremony, ceremony included: The Rt Hon Lord unveiled the Bust at the China & South Neuberger of Abbotsbury, Treasurer Asia Gallery of the British Museum. A of Lincoln’s Inn; Sir Anwar Pervez of large number of people from all walks of Bestway Group; Sir William Black- life were in attendance on this occasion. burne, former Treasurer of the Lincoln’s In his welcome remarks, the High Inn; Baroness Sayeeda Warsi; Rehman Commissioner said: “The installation Chishti MP; Barrister Yasmin Qureshi of the Quaid’s Bust at his Alma Mater MP; Barrister Sibghatullah Qadri QC; – Lincoln’s Inn Library will be rejoiced Asif Rangoonwala and the sculptor of by the Pakistanis and provide impetus the Bust, Philip Jackson. for the fast growing Pakistan – UK mul- ti-dimensional relations.” Speaking about the Quiad, the High Commissioner stated: “A strong willed Jinnah became a beacon of hope and courage, and provided voice to millions of the Muslims of South Asia. To de- scribe the towering personality of the Father of Nation who was far ahead of his time, I wish to quote Professor Stanley Wolpert, a leading American historian, author and the Quaid’s bi- ographer, who wrote: ‘Few individuals significantly alter the course of history; fewer still modify the map of the world. Hardly, anyone can be credited with cre- ating a nation state – Mohammad Ali Jinnah did all three’.” Balochistan is heart of Pakistan, says Speaker Balochistan Assembly Balochistan is the heart of Pakistan making all round progress in infrastruc- and people of Balochistan are proud ture development and social sector up- Pakistanis. This was stated by Ms Ra- lift especially education sector which is hila Hameed Khan Durrani, Speaker specifically focused on girls’ education Balochistan Assembly at a dinner re- and women empowerment. ception organized by the Pakistan High Welcoming the Parliamentarians, H. Commission London on 23 Novem- E. Syed Ibne Abbas, the High Commis- ber 2017. The speaker condemned the sioner said that Balochistan is on the anti-Pakistan advertisement campaign path of development especially after recently run in London and said that the initiation of the CPEC projects in people of Balochistan in no way relate the province. The High Commissioner themselves to this malicious campaign. stated that the whole of Pakistan and The speaker, who was leading an the entire region stand to benefit from 11-member delegation comprising cross up-gradation of Gwadar deep sea port. party Parliamentarians of Balochistan The other members of the delegation Assembly, said that they were visiting the included: Dr Abdul Malik MPA; Mrs. UK on the invitation of Commonwealth Rahat Jamali, Minister for Labour; Dr. Parliamentary Association (CPA). The Ruqia Hashmi, MPA; Mir Asim Kurd Speaker said that such Parliamentary Gailoo MPA; Abdul Rahim Ziaratwal, exchanges effectively help to make the Education Minister; Maulana Abdul world understand Pakistan’s efforts and Wasay, Opposition Leader; Mrs Samina sacrifices in eliminating terrorism and Khan MPA; Mrs Shaida Rauf MPA; Dr. extremism. Shamsa Ishaq MPA and Manzoor Khan The Speaker also appreciated the MPA. Members of Pakistani communi- efforts of the current and previous ty and the media were also present on federal governments for the uplift of the occasion and interacted with the Balochistan. She said, contrary to the Parliamentarians. common perception, Balochistan is President Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Air Chief Marshal hosted at the High Commission H.E. Syed Ibne Abbas, Pakistan The President urged the international High Commissioner to the UK hosted community to play their role in get- a dinner reception in honour of Pres- ting the Kashmiri people their right to ident Azad Jammu & Kashmir, Sardar self-determination as enshrined in the Masood Khan and Air Chief Marshal UN resolutions. Sohail Aman NI (M), at the Pakistan The Air Chief Marshal also held pro- High Commission London on 21 No- fessional meetings with the British de- vember 2017. Both had their official fence officials and discussed bilateral visits to the UK. cooperation. Speaking on the occasion, While in the UK, President Sardar he commended the successful efforts Masood Khan interacted with the Brit- of Pakistan against extremism and ter- he highlighted the catastrophic human forces. He also pointed out serious im- ish Parliamentarians, Kashmiri com- rorism. rights violations in the Indian Occupied plications for the regional peace due munity and media. In his interactions, Kashmir (IOK) by the Indian security to the unresolved dispute of Kashmir. Two scholarships announced for Pakistani students at Lincoln’s Inn Bestway Group and Rangoonwala Foundation to fund the scholarships Two Pakistani students would receive further strengthen the ties between Pa- scholarships annually at the prestigious kistani students and Quaid’s alma mater, Lincoln’s Inn from next year. The Best- Lincoln’s Inn. The selection of the stu- way Group and Rangoonwala Foun- dents will be done by the Lincoln’s Inn. dation will fund one scholarship each. The High Commissioner commended Sir Anwar Pervez and Asif Rangoon- the vision of Sir Anwar Pervez and Asif wala made the offer on the occasion of Rangoonwala for investing in the edu- installation of the Bust of Quaid-i-Azam cation of Pakistani youth, which would at the Lincoln’s Inn Library on 29 No- open up new vistas of cooperation and vember 2017. H.E. Syed Ibne Abbas, the understanding between the two friendly High Commissioner, announced this countries. offer in his address at the installation ceremony. The Rt Hon Lord Neuberger of Abbotsbury, Treasurer of the Lincoln’s Inn, and other notable personalities on the occasion hailed the scholarship of- fer saying that that the initiative would High Commissioner meets with Permanent High Commissioner with Her Majesty the Secretary for the MOD Queen at the British Museum H.E. Syed Ibne Abbas, Pakistan High Commissioner to the UK met with H.E. Syed Ibne Abbas, Pakistan High Commissioner to the UK exchanging Stephen Lovegrove, Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Defence courtesies with Her Majesty the Queen at the opening of China and South (MOD) in London on 17 November 2017. Bilateral relations were discussed Asia gallery of the British Museum on 8 November 2017. during the meeting. High Commissioner discusses bilateral trade relations with UK’s Minister H.E. Syed Ibne Abbas, Pakistan High market access for the Pakistani prod- Commissioner to the UK met with Mr. ucts post Brexit on the existing pattern. Greg Hands MP, British Minister of State The High Commissioner informed the for Trade Policy on 14 November 2017. Minister about the successful holding The meeting was a follow up of the Min- of Expo Pakistan at Karachi attended ister’s recent visit to Pakistan. by leading British buyers/businessmen. The Minister described his visit quite Pakistan exports to the UK market are productive. He appreciated Pakistan’s experiencing robust growth. Last year economic growth rate and rising mid- Pakistan exports to the British market dle class. The Minister further said that grew by 8% whereas during the first 8 the British businesses are performing months of current calendar year the ex- exceptionally well in Pakistan. He also ports grew by 9%. expressed special interest of UK in the execution of CPEC project. On this occasion, the High Commis- sioner welcomed a series of high level visits from UK to Pakistan which has set the tone for strong bilateral economic and commercial relations between the two countries. He appreciated the British Government’s commitment to continue The Prince’s School of Traditional Arts delivering workshops in Karachi On 23 October through 5 November come back – looking forward for more 2017, a team from The Prince’s School programmes and courses in traditional of Traditional Arts visited Karachi arts.” “Worth every minute. Learned a to deliver the first of many practical lot – excellent demonstration of skills workshops at the new VM Centre for and knowledge.” Traditional Arts. The VMCTA is based Over the next three years, the Prince’s on a three-year partnership agreement School will be sending experts in a va- between the VM Trust for Education riety of traditional arts to Karachi to and The Prince’s School of Traditional conduct a variety of courses in ceramics, Arts.