Pakistan's High Commissioner to UK, Syed Ibne Abbas held a meeting with the members of the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Pakistan at the British Parliament in London on Wednesday. The two sides discussed a range of issues pertaining to bilateral relations, parliamentary co-operation, economy, National Action Plan (NAP) and the British Pakistani community, according to a message received here from London.
The High Commissioner felicitated Rehman Chishti MP on becoming the new Chair of the APPG on Pakistan and hoped that under his dynamic leadership, the group would endeavour to further strengthen the existing friendly relationship between the two countries. He said that Pakistan-UK relations were a priority area in Pakistan's foreign policy.
The High Commissioner commended the services of outgoing Chair of the APPG on Pakistan Andrew Stephenson MP, in promoting ties between the two countries and termed him to be a true friend of Pakistan. The High Commissioner encouraged the members of the APPG to the 61st Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference (CPC), to be held in Islamabad from September 30 to October 8, 2015.
This will be the first ever CPC, Pakistan would host in which parliamentary delegates from 53 countries were expected to participate, added the High Commissioner. About 600 delegates would deliberate upon issues relating to legislative oversight, parliamentary strengthening, gender equality, climate change and other matters of importance to the Commonwealth fraternity.
The Parliamentarians were briefed that Pakistan had seen significant economic growth in the past couple of years and the country was fast becoming a lucrative investment destination for the international investors. The High Commissioner sought UK's support for enhanced investment in Pakistan, particularly in its energy sector. Speaking on security situation of the country, the High Commissioner informed the British Parliamentarians that Pakistan's armed forces were successfully carrying out Operation Zarb-e-Azb under the National Action Plan (NAP), and the situation was fast improving. The Parliamentarians appreciated Pakistan's efforts in fighting against terrorism and extremism to bring about peace and stability in the region.
While the constructive role of the Pakistani diaspora in development and progress of the UK was appreciated by the British Parliamentarians, and it was noted that there was great scope for further participation of the Pakistani community into the mainstream British society. Both sides had a detailed discussion on the issues faced by the Pakistani community in various electoral constituencies of UK.
The High Commissioner updated the APPG that the Government of Pakistan was cognisant of the problems faced by the overseas Pakistanis and had taken a number of measures to address those issues including the appointment of Overseas Commissioners at Federal and Punjab province level. Besides Rehman Chishti MP and Chair APPG on Pakistan, those who attended the meeting included Andrew Stephenson MP, Sir Gerald Kauffman MP, Catherine West MP, Liam Bryne MP, Ruth Cadbury MP, Kate Green MP and Jo Cox MP.
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