Foreign Minister attends the Virtual Reception of Conservative Friends of Pakistan as Chief Guest

London: Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi attended the Virtual Reception of Conservative Friends of Pakistan as Chief Guest.

Conservative Friends of Pakistan (CFOP), led by Lord Zameer Choudrey CBE SI Pk, seeks to build a stronger, wider and deeper relationship between the Conservative Party, Pakistan and British Pakistani communities in the UK which hosts more than 1.5 million strong Pakistani diaspora.

The Foreign Minister addressed the participants of the event as Keynote Speaker. In his address, the Foreign Minister highlighted the role of Pakistani Diaspora in building relations between Pakistan and the UK and appreciated the positive developments in bilateral relations with UK. He highlighted the effects of Covid-19 on global economy and outlined the actions taken by Government of Pakistan to tackle the contagion specially its ‘smart lockdown’ policy. The Foreign Minister highlighted the effects of coronavirus on developing countries and Prime Minister’s call for ‘Global Initiative on Debt Relief’. He highlighted the contributions made by British Pakistanis and paid rich tributes to those who lost their lives in the fight against Covid-19.

While dilating upon the positive developments in Pakistan’s economy, the Foreign Minister attributed these developments to key strategic thrusts of Pakistan’s economic policy which include responsible economic governance, attracting foreign investments, improving export market access, leveraging technology and focusing on IT, and promoting tourism.

Foreign Minister highlighted gross and systematic violations of human rights in IIOJK, India’s illegal measures to change the demographic structure of the occupied territory, and the threat to peace and security posed by India’s bellicose rhetoric and belligerent actions. He urged that immediate pressure be brought upon India to stop egregious human rights violations and for peaceful settlement of the issue according to the resolutions of UN Security Council.

The reception was well attended by the government Ministers, Members of the Parliament and prominent members of British Pakistani community.