H.E. Syed Ibne Abbas, Pakistan High Commissioner to the UK met Mr John Clancy, Leader of the House, Birmingham City Council at his office. The two sides discussed issues of diaspora, investment in Pakistan and developing linkages between Birmingham City Council and various city councils in Pakistan.
Mr Clancy appreciated the role of Pakistani Diaspora in enriching the socio-cultural and economic life of the city. He said over 260,000 strong Pakistani Diaspora in Birmingham and adjacent areas adds to the diversity of the city where 167 languages are spoken. Most of the British Pakistani population consists of youth and they can play positive role in the progress and development of the UK and Pakistan by building bridges between the two countries, added Mr Clancy.
The two sides underscored a number of investment opportunities from
City Council to various projects in Pakistan. The Leader of the House
showed keen interest in developing linkages with Pakistan through
investment. According to Mr Clancy, in
all the major 10 cities of the UK, there is considerable presence of the
Pakistani Diaspora which can be used to promote economic and investment
ties.
The High Commissioner thanked Mr Clancy for taking active part in celebrating
Independence Day of Pakistan by hoisting Pakistani flag at the City
Council Birmingham for the last two years, which was a great goodwill
gesture to the British Pakistanis. He particularly liked Mr Clancy’s
suggestion of exploring investment opportunities in Pakistan and assured
him of High Commission’s full facilitation and support to any such
initiative. The High Commissioner said, in the backdrop of China
Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), there are vast investment
opportunities which the City Council Birmingham as well as Pakistani
diaspora can benefit from. He invited Mr. Clancy, along with a
delegation, to visit Pakistan, which the latter agreed to.
The High Commissioner also briefed Mr Clancy about the series of events being
organized by the High Commission for the 70th Independence Anniversary
of Pakistan in 2017. He suggested to the Leader of the House to organize
some events jointly with the High Commission. Mr Clancy expressed keen
interest in jointly organizing some events to mark the Anniversary. Both
the sides agreed to work toward bringing investment in Pakistan and
jointly organizing Independence anniversary events.
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