Pakistan's High Commissioner to the UK Wajid Shamsul Hasan pointing out the irony of globalisation and said that on the one hand there is a talk of global village whereas on the other hand visa regimes are becoming more restrictive day-by-day resulting in restraining movements of people from country-to-country.
He further added that though economic growth is being ascribed to globalisation, the ever increasing gaps between rich and poor and disparities between urban and rural populations glaringly reflect that fruits of economic progress were not being shared equally by various segments around the world.
The High Commissioner shared these views while addressing scholars at conference on "Asia and the West" in connection with "One World Week" organised by the University of Warwick, Coventry, Thursday.
Speaking on the nature of relationship shared by the Asian countries, particularly Pakistan, with the West in the context of dynamics of politics and economy, Wajid Hasan pointed out that in the wake of globalisation and economic progress the human rights are also being effected predominantly in a negative way, and concerns for human rights violations must also be taken into account while talking about economic gains and globalisation.
Responding to a question on solution of Kashmir issue, the top diplomat said that since it was not an oil rich region the attention of the world is not drawn to this issue the way it should have been. He, however, reiterated that Kashmir is the oldest issue on the agenda of UN and it should be resolved according its resolution.
Focusing on the significance of relationship of Asian Countries with the West the High Commissioner said the politics and economics of Asia and the West no doubt is the lynchpin of the global system.
Talking in terms of security and economic issues faced by his country and the international support needed to address these issues, Wajid Hasan asserted that the issues confronting Pakistan, and undercutting its economy and political stability are not of the making of Pakistan itself.
"The watershed of the volatility in our region, the breach of law and international doctrine of peace in Kashmir are matters which underpin a need for security and defence for Pakistan. We inherited terrorism as the Cold war agenda of dismantling Soviet Empire, stem the rising tide of Communism and to promote free market economy."
He urged that the guardians of the international frontiers of peace, liberty and freedom must come forth to show their sagacity in a broad and transparent manner to bring peace and development to the region. Wajid Hasan said: "Pakistan is now the 28th largest economy in the world in terms of GDP Purchasing Power Parity. We are the 3rd largest English speaking nation in the world. It is a large market of more than 170 people, with an average GDP growth rate of plus 5% during the last eight years with its land mass more than that of France and Germany put together."
The High Commissioner informed that Pakistan was one of the founding members of the World Trade Organisation and it is on the top of the contributors to the United Nations peacekeeping forces world-wide. With an open economy the country is home to more than a hundred British companies. The World Bank Ease of Doing Business Report of 2011 lists Pakistan at number 83, India at 133 and China and 79, he added.
Other speakers on the panel who participated in this debate were John Hancock Senior Policy Adviser World Trade Organisation, Ashwini Deshpande Professor of Economics at Delhi University, Ghaffar Hussain, Director of Training and consultancy at the Quilliam Foundation and Ian MacKickham Senior Director, Credit Suisse. The session was chaired by Bishumpiya Gupta, Professor of Economics at the Warwick University.
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