Pakistan's Ambassador at Large, Javed Malik is organising a visit of British Members of Parliament (MPs) and the delegation comprising on MPs James Devine, Mark Fisher, James McGovern, and Mohammed Sarwar would arrive here next week.
This visit is part of wide-ranging public diplomacy efforts being initiated by Javed Malik since his appointment as Pakistan's Ambassador at Large. He is working towards promoting a positive image of the country, and fostering diplomatic support for Pakistan across the globe, particularly among the countries comprising of the Friends of Pakistan group through various activities aimed at people to people contacts.
The visit comes at a time when India is engaged in an aggressive and negative propaganda against Pakistan, and it is expected that the British MPs would extend vocal support to Pakistan. "We have arranged the visit of these British legislators to visit Pakistan as a way to muster diplomatic support for the country" said Javed Malik.
This is part of a series of visits being planned and other influential personalities expected to visit Pakistan. In this context, Lord Nazir Ahmed was also here last week, and Javed Malik accompanied him on meetings with President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, and Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi. "In addition to their official meetings with the country's leadership, we will also create opportunities for members of civil society, academics, students, and media to interact with the British Parliamentarian with a view to promote a better understanding of Pakistan and its people," said Ambassador Javed Malik.
The Ambassador is also organising an International Conference in Islamabad in which the British MPs will address a specially invited audience of Islamabad's civil society. The Conference is aimed at raising awareness on the challenges being faced by Pakistan, and highlights the Opportunities that a democratic Pakistan creates for the world community.