Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani on Friday said that the Pakistani community in UK has made valuable contribution to the British economy and hence is a valuable asset for both the countries. He noted with satisfaction that the number of Members of Parliament of Pakistan origin in British Parliament has increased from four to seven in the last general elections while a growing number of Pakistani diaspora was now actively participating in the British national and local politics.
The Prime Minister was talking to Yasmeen Qureshi, Member of British Parliament who called on him here at the PM House on Friday afternoon. The Prime Minister commended MP Yasmeen Qureshi's efforts for bringing Pakistan and UK ever closer and urged her to also work for mobilising Pakistan's community in UK to enhance trade, economic and investment ties with Pakistan as well as for advancing Pakistan's image and interests in her sphere of influence in UK.
The Prime Minister particularly lauded MP Yasmeen Qureshi's role in the British Parliament for creating a better understanding of the ground realities in Pakistan and of its frontline role in war against terror. Yasmeen Qureshi thanked the Prime Minister for sparing his precious time to meet her and stated that he was clearly the person in Pakistan's politics who is respected by every one because of non-divisive consensus building approach.
She assured the Prime Minister of her full support and co-operation in further strengthening of Pakistan-UK relations and for pro-actively interacting with the Pakistani community for pursuing the aims and objectives of British-Pakistan Foundation for protecting Pakistan's interests.