Cake cutting at the Pakistan Day Reception organized by Pakistan HighCommission London on 31 March 2014[/caption]
LONDON (PR): Following the National Day Celebrations on 23 March Pakistan Day reception was held at a local hotel on Monday. A large number of people including Parliamentarians, diplomats, leading media and business personalities and people belonging to different walks of life participated.
[caption id="attachment_544" align="aligncenter" width="605"]
Pakistan High Commissioner for UK Mr Wajid Shamsul Hasan; Baroness D'Souza,Lord Speaker; Hugh Robertson, Minister of State for Foreign and
Commonwealth Affairs and Deputy High Commissioner Muhammad Imran Mirza speaking at the Pakistan Day Reception organized by Pakistan High Commission London on 31 March 2014[/caption]
In his welcome address, Pakistan High Commissioner for UK, Mr Wajid Shamsul Hasan, paid tributes to the Muslims of South Asia who, under the dynamic leadership of Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, established their own separate homeland. Mr Jinnah’s vision for Pakistan was of a liberal, progressive and egalitarian democratic country where every citizen was to enjoy equal rights, freedom and opportunities—irrespective of caste, creed, colour or gender, said the High Commissioner.
Speaking about the Pakistan-UK bilateral ties, he highlighted the historical, political trade and business relations between the two countries He particularly lauded the role of the Pakistani diaspora in the UK in development of Pakistan and cementing the ties between two countries.
On this occasion, he announced to step down from his position. Mr Wajid informed that he will devolve his authority to the Deputy High Commissioner Imran Mirza.
He was deployed as high commissioner in UK for last six years, which is a record tenure for any Pakistani envoy.
The reception was attended by a large number of Lords, MPs, the British
friends, Pakistani diaspora in the UK and media representatives. The attendees included Rt Hon Baroness D’SOUZA, Lord Speaker; Rt Hon Hugh Robertson, Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs; Secretary General Commonwealth H.E. Kamalesh Sharma and Mrs Sharma; His Excellency Khaled Al-Duwaisan, Dean of the Diplomatic Corps,Former Speaker Baroness Boothroyd. Mr.Mubeen Rashed (Nai Baat), Mr.Mobeen Chaudhry Chief Edtor (Kashmir Link London) ,Lord Nazir Ahmad,Murtaza Ali Shah (The News London) and Lord Qurban Hussain,Barrister Amjad Malik.Deputy High Commissioner Muhammad Imran Mirza conducted the ceremony.
Rt Hon Hugh Robertson, Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs was the guest of honour and represented Foreign Secretary Rt Hon William Hague.
In his address he mentioned the strong ties between the two countries and said:”We are here to honour our past as we mark the National Day of Pakistan”. He said the UK looked forward to forging even stronger ties with Pakistan.
The Rt Hon Baroness D’Souza, Lord Speaker also spoke on the occasion about the existing goodwill between the two countries. She specifically appreciated the participation of women in various walks of life in Pakistan.
The High Commissioner thanked all the guests for attending the reception.
Separately Hasan expressed his deep gratitude to Pakistani Diaspora for
extending to him all their support in making his two tenures as High
Commissioner successful.
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