London: Despite challenges, Pakistan is thriving and moving forward: High Commissioner Moazzam Ahmad Khan
London: To mark the 82nd anniversary of the Pakistan Resolution, High Commissioner Moazzam Ahmad Khan hosted the Pakistan Day Reception at his official residence, the Pakistan House yesterday.
Ambassador Nigel Casey, Special Representative of the Prime Minister represented the UK Government as the Chief Guest at the ceremony. Among the 400 who participated included British Parliamentarians, Honourable Justice Supreme Court of Pakistan Syed Mansoor Ali Shah, Diplomats, Senior Civil and Military Representatives, Mayors, Councillors, eminent members of the Pakistani community and British friends of Pakistan.
In his address on the occasion, High Commissioner recalled the significance of the Lahore resolution and termed it as a seminal moment. He paid glowing tribute to the visionary leadership of Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah in creating Pakistan which not only altered the world map but also changed the course of history forever.
The High Commissioner said that despite many challenges, Pakistan had thrived as the fifth largest nation, with the twenty-fourth largest economy and one of the strongest militaries. He said that at a moment of unprecedented flux and uncertainty in world affairs, Pakistan stood for principle, equality, and justice with firm belief in the principles enshrined in the UN Charter. He particularly highlighted the grave human rights violations of the Kashmiri people by Indian occupation forces in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) and emphasized the need for a just resolution in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions and the will of the people of Kashmir. The High Commissioner reiterated that Pakistan had been and would always remain a peacemaker and bridge-builder.
On Pakistan-UK relations, the High Commissioner underscored the two countries were steadfast friends and strong partners in multiple domains and at multiple levels. He said that it was a matter of satisfaction that this year marked the joyous confluence of Her Majesty the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, the 75th independence anniversary of Pakistan and 75 years of friendship between Pakistan and the United Kingdom. The High Commissioner lauded the constructive role of 1.6 million Pakistani diaspora in the UK in cementing bilateral ties. He laid emphasis on taking bilateral relations in fields of trade, investment, culture and tourism to the next level.
In his remarks, Ambassador Nigel Casey conveyed best wishes to the people of Pakistan on behalf of the British Government. He appreciated the importance, vitality and enriching influence of the Pakistani community in the UK that made Pakistan a part of UK’s national life. He said that like everyone else he was also looking forward to the English cricket team’s tour of Pakistan this year.
The Resolution by the All India Muslim League at its Lahore meeting of 23 March 1940, marked the launch of the political struggle for an independent homeland for Muslims of the subcontinent. This culminated, seven years later, in the establishment of Pakistan as the then largest predominantly Muslim nation state of the world.
