High Commissioner hosts Eid-ul

High Commissioner hosts Eid-ul-Fitr Open House
H.E. Syed Ibne Abbas, Pakistan High
Commissioner to the UK, hosted Eidul-Fitr Open House at his official residence “Pakistan House” in London on
6th July 2016.
The High Commissioner and his
wife welcomed guests from all walks
of society including Ambassadors/ High
Commissioners, Lords, MPs, Mayors,
Councillors and many others.
The attendees enjoyed the mouth watering traditional Pakistani cuisine and
delicacies that brought back memories
of Pakistan, whereas live musical performance by Tanya Wells, Amir Hussain
Qawwal and Raja Kashif added to the
festivities. Special arrangements were
also made to entertain the children,
including a bouncy castle and a candy
corner.
The attendees termed the event a
great opportunity to meet and greet
fellow brother/sisters and said, “Atmosphere of the festivity reflects the beauty
of our rich culture, traditions, apparel
and cuisine.”
Around 1,500 people from all walks
of life attended the event.
New book on Pakistan cricket “White on Green” launched at the High Commission
Book White on Green co- authored
by Richard Heller and Peter Oborne was
launched at the High Commission for
Pakistan, London on 12, July 2016.
H.E. Syed Ibne Abbas, Pakistan High
Commissioner to the UK commended
the authors on bringing out such a well
researched book on Pakistani cricket.
Adding, Pakistanis around the world
are very passionate about cricket, which
has now become part of our identity.
Peter Oborne and Richard Heller
thanked the people of Pakistan and the
High Commission for Pakistan for their
support in accomplishing the project of
the book. Richard Heller said: “I hope
this new book will take readers closer to
Pakistan cricket and in that way closer
to Pakistan itself. Pakistan is a fascinating, multi-layered country - cricket
has become part of its national identity.”Ambassador Shahryar Khan gave a
comprehensive overview of the book. He
stated that the book presents not only
the history of the Pakistan cricket but
also sheds light on several historical and
cultural aspects of the Pakistani society.
Amongst the attendees were cricket legends Zaheer Abbas, Intikhab Alam and
Ambassador Shahryar Khan, Chairman
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), and 200
other cricket fans.
Consuls General Conference held at the High Commission
H.E. Syed Ibne Abbas, Pakistan High
Commissioner to the UK chaired the
annual “Consuls General Conference”
on 18 July 2016. The Conference was
attended by Consuls General of Pakistan
in Birmingham, Bradford, Glasgow and
Manchester together with the officers of
the High Commission.
The purpose of the Conference was
to review the implementation status of
the decisions made during the last Conference and set out goals and targets for
the next year. A wide range of issues
pertaining to the Consulates of Pakistan came under discussion, including
administrative and consular matters;
community outreach initiatives; cultural, sports and literary activities; and
satisfaction that most of the targets set
out during the last Conference were
achieved. While commending the focused efforts of the officers, he advised
them to take further measures to facilitate the community through efficient
service delivery, in line with the instructions of Prime Minister Muhammad
Nawaz Sharif. He also appreciated their
efforts in reaching out and connecting
with the community, particularly students and the youth, through regular
economic diplomacy with special focus missioner advised the Consuls General visits to the mosques and schools in
on enhancing trade and promoting in- to step up their efforts to enhance bilat- their respective areas of responsibility.
eral trade and adopt a more proactive
vestment in Pakistan.
Elaborate guidelines were given by
Post-Brexit situation and its bearing approach in dealing with issues arising the High Commissioner to the Consuls
on Pakistan-UK bilateral relations were from Brexit.
General for the next year.
also discussed in detail. The High ComThe High Commissioner noted with
Pakistan’s Hissam Ali Hyder of Team Commonwealth brings The Royal Salute
His Royal Highness, Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh and Royal
Salute’s Peter Moore, Global Prestige
Brand Director, presented the mighty
Coronation Cup to Hissam Ali Hyder
(Pakistan), Fred Mannix (Team Captain
from Canada), Chris Mackenzie (South
Africa) and John Paul Clarkin (New
Zealand) after the GT Bank Commonwealth team defeated England 12-11 in a
thrilling game at the prestigious Guards
Polo Club on Saturday 23 July 2016.
The Coronation Cup is a high goal
game consisting of 27 goals per team
and is one of the biggest international
Amongst guests, H.E. Syed Ibne Abevents in polo to take place every year.
bas,
Pakistan High Commissioner to the
For the first time in history, an Asian
player was on the Commonwealth team UK together with his wife was present
at the match.
honouring Pakistan.
Hissam Ali Hyder dedicated his win
to Abdul Sattar Edhi, adding “his passing
has been the biggest loss to our country as he represented Pakistan like no
other.”Keeping the national flag flying
high internationally, Hissam Ali Hyder
has taken oath to represent Pakistan at
every step of his career.
Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq meets Lord Speaker Baroness D’Souza in London
Hon’ble Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, Speaker
National Assembly of Pakistan, met with
Rt Hon. Baroness D’Souza, Speaker of
the House of Lords at the British Parliament on 14 July 2015.
The Speaker, in his meeting, expressed
satisfaction on the existing level of cooperation between the Parliaments of
the two countries, and emphasized on
further enhancing parliamentary exchanges through bilateral visits, seminars and conferences.
Apprising Baroness D’Souza on the
parliamentary best practices, the Speaker briefed her on the functioning of the
various Committees in the National Assembly of Pakistan.
The Speaker also raised the issue of
recent escalation of violence in the Indian Occupied Kashmir (IOK), expressing
Parliamentary delegation from Pakistan at the Westminster London
serious concern on the killing of innocent Kashmiris by the Indian forces. He
also updated the Lord Speaker on the
improved security and economic situation in Pakistan.
The Lord Speaker welcomed the
growing cooperation between the two
Parliaments. She agreed on enhancing
parliamentary cooperation with particular focus to empower women and young
members of the Parliament.
The Lord Speaker also appreciated
the steps taken by the Government of
Pakistan to consolidate democracy and
assured UK’s support to the democratic
institutions in Pakistan.
Dinner hosted by H.E. Syed Ibne Abbas, Pakistan High Commissioner to the UK in the
honor of Speaker National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq & members of the Parliament.
High Commissioner calls on the Imam-e-Kaaba
Imam-e-Kaaba, His Eminence
Abdul Rahman Al-Sudais expressed special warmth and affection towards the brotherly country
H.E. Syed Ibne Abbas, Pakistan
High Commissioner to the UK
called on Imam-e-Kaaba, His Eminence Abdul Rahman Al-Sudais at
the Regents Park Islamic Cultural
Centre London, after the Juma
prayer on 22 July 2016.
The High Commissioner extended greetings to the Imam-e-Kaaba
on behalf of the government and
the people of Pakistan. The Imame-Kaaba also conveyed his best
wishes and prayers for the brotherly government and the people of
Pakistan.
Pakistan.
The High Commissioner requested special prayers for the people of
Indian Occupied Kashmir (IOK), who
are suffering the worst atrocities and
oppression at the hands of the Indian
government.
The High Commissioner also invited His Eminence to visit Pakistan.
Quran Khawani for late Abdul Sattar Edhi
At the end, Dua was offered for Edhi
Sahib as well as for peace, prosperity and
progress of Pakistan.
Speaking to the media on the occasion, the High Commissioner said
“Edhi Sahib’s services to the humanity
and his philanthropic work are unparalleled and would always be remembered
with respect and gratitude. He was a
great human being and great role model
for all of us.”
The High Commission for Pakistan
in London, in collaboration with the
Edhi Foundation, London held Quran
Khawani for late Abdul Sattar Edhi at
the High Commission on 13, July 2016.
A large number of people from all
walks of life attended the Quran Khawani together with H.E. Syed Ibne Abbas, Pakistan High Commissioner to
the UK and Tariq Awan, Head of Operations, Edhi Foundation (UK and
Europe).
In conversation with the cooking expert, Irfan Husain
In collaboration with The Pakistan
Society, the High Commission for Pakistan, London organised a talk with the
renowned cooking expert Irfan Hussain
on 20th July, 2016.
Primarily known for his pithy columns on an encyclopaedic range of
subjects for a variety of publications,
Irfan Husain shared his experiences and
adventures in learning how to cook traditional Pakistani food.
It was when he began to spend over
half the year in England, about 13 years
ago, that he found he missed the authentic, home-cooked dishes of Pakistan so
much that he decided to teach himself
how to cook them. The more he cooked,
the more he discovered about the origins and history of Pakistani cuisine,
he explained.
Irfan also touched upon the practical
side of cooking – about his own trials
and triumphs, and gave advice about the
musts, the shortcuts, the tips – to present
an entertaining, informative and delectable picture of Pakistani food today.
The forum provided a valuable opportunity for the Pakistanis living in the UK
to get an insight into Pakistani cooking.
Dinner in Honour of the National Cricket Team
would further strengthen these linkages.
Mr Intekhab Alam, Manager of the
Pakistani cricket team highlighted the
absence of international cricket from
Pakistan and said that it is high time
that international teams should pay
visit to Pakistan as we have achieved
great success in the war against terror
and Pakistan is a safe country to play
cricket now.
The community was very excited to
meet their national heroes and made
most of the opportunity by taking photographs and autographs with their favourite players.
The Consulate General of Pakistan,
Manchester and the Pakistani community hosted a reception dinner in honour
of the visiting Pakistani Cricket Team in
Manchester on 20th July 2016.
Welcoming the team, Dr Zahoor
Ahmed, Consul General called them
the “national heroes” of Pakistan and
presented a memento shield to the cricket team which was received by Captain
Misbah Ul Haq.
Speaking on the occasion, the Lord
Mayor of Manchester appreciated the
contribution of the British Pakistani
community to the British society. He
said that cricket is an important link
between the two countries and the Pakistani cricket team’s visit to Manchester
NESPAK delegation visits the High Commission
A delegation of NESPAK Pakistan,
headed by their MD & President Mr.
Amjad A. Khan visited the High Commission on 26 July 2016 and discussed
with the High Commissioner their business expansion strategy.
The delegation apprised the High
Commissioner of the various projects
which are currently being executed in
Pakistan, especially Punjab Saaf Pani
Project and Orange Line Project in Punjab. They also informed about their desire to enter into joint ventures (JVs),
with reputable British consultancy firms.
Such JVs will help bring international
best practices in the country coupled
with capacity building of Pakistani pro-
fessionals to deliver projects of international standard in Pakistan.The High
Commissioner assured the delegation
of all possible support in their endeavours and asked them to keep the High
Commission updated on their projects
through close liaison to work together
in future.
The Commercial Counsellor will facilitate future meetings of the NESPAK
officials with the relevant British authorities especially with UKTI, British
Council and DFID, among others for
further collaboration.
CEO PIA briefs media on PIA performance
Mr Bernd Hildenbrand, CEO of
the PIA showcased operational profits
and an increase in PIA’s daily average
number of flights that crossed 120 in
March, despite having limited number
of aircrafts. He was briefing the media
in London on 11 July 2016.
Mr Hildenbrand apprised the media
of the improvements in PIA services.
In particular, mentioning the drastic
Pakistan Cricket Match with British Army
changes that have taken place to uplift
the airlines standards, including improving on-time performance and punctuality as well as laying more emphasis
on cleanliness of aircraft and quality of
in-flight meals.
He also gave details about his vision
to modernise PIA and turn it into a profitable corporation.
H.E. Syed Ibne Abbas, Pakistan High Commissioner to the UK
with Mr Alok Sharma MP
Stating that mosques are everywhere
in Pakistan is hardly likely to be the
surprise of the century. Yet it is for this
reason that you should know that some
of them clearly stand out so that if you
are ever nearby, you will simply have to
make sure you detou r to make the visit.
Starting in Sindh, in the city of Thatta is the Shah Jahan Mosque. Built
in 1647, the mosque is probably the
finest Mughal monument in the
province. The 93 domes are ornate as
they are practical as the prayers said at
the mihrab can be heard all over the
building. The surfaces of the mosque
are covered with exquisite calligraphy
carved in golden stone and elaborate
blue tile work. It can easily be visited
as a day trip from Karachi.
Moving into Southern Punjab and
near Rahim Yar Khan is Bhong
Mosque. This is a relatively new
mosque as it was only completed in
1982 under the supervision of and
funded by the local landlord. What
makes it so fascinating is that it is a
catalogue of all the building and decorative techniques ever developed or
used in the subcontinent. Given that
almost every square inch is decorated
some may argue that it has been overdone and gaudy but all can admire
the effort that has been put into it.
Still in Punjab and into Lahore where
one is spoilt for choice with the glorious Badshahi Mosque but the one
to visit is in the old city just through
Delhi Gate. Here one stumbles upon
the Wazir Khan Mosque that was
built in 1634. This stunning building
is known for the colourful fresco and
beautiful tile decorations that adorn
both the interior and exterior. The
calligraphy surrounding the mihrab
is sublime.
If Peshawar is your destination then
the Mohabbat Khan Mosque is the
place to visit. This is another Mughal
mosque with intricate calligraphy
and lavish floral and geometric
designs painted. It is unique as the
mosque is white due to the marble
used in its construction.
Even in the far north of the country
there is the Shahi Masjid in Chitral,
which was built by the Mehtars of the
past and is attached to Chitral Fort.
This small and ornate mosque is must
see for anyone visiting Chitral but
more so for the beautiful surroundings in which it is located.
Given that there are over a quarter
of a million mosques in Pakistan, see
if you can visit one of the five mentioned above next time you are there!