Alternative travel destination Pakistan: Financial TimesFor much of the past decade, Pakistan

has been synonymous in many people’s minds with terrorism and unrest - the place Osama bin Laden was killed, where Malala Yousafzai was shot, and where climbers preparing to scale an 8,000m peak were murdered in their tents. And yet in the past three years, an improvement in the security situa-tion has prompted the beginnings of an unlikely tourism surge.

“While I am sure this will raise some eyebrows, we are starting to see a marked increase in tourism to Pakistan,” says Jonny Bealby of Wild Frontiers. His company took 55 per cent more clients to the country in 2017 compared with the previous year, and advance bookings are more than 100 per cent up on this point 12 months ago.

In 2015 the UK Foreign and Com-monwealth Office relaxed warnings about visiting large areas of the moun-tainous north; figures from the state-owned Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) suggest total ar-rivals have tripled since then, to a total of 1.75m in 2017.

A publicity drive - including cover-ing London buses with photographs of Pakistani scenes - as well as celebrations in 2017 marking the 70th anniversary of the country’s formation, have helped raise the nation’s profile. Roads have been improved, including the resurfac-ing of large stretches of the fabled Kar-akoram Highway, and domestic airline

connections increased.“Of course, I realise the country still

has a long way to go before it can at-tract the numbers of adventure tourists that came here pre-9/11, but there is no doubt things are on the up,” says Bealby. (Courtesy: Financial Times)

A publicity drive - including covering London buses with photographs of

Pakistani scenes - as well as celebrations in 2017 marking the 70th anniversary of the country’s formation, have helped raise the

nation’s profile. Roads have been improved, including the resurfacing of large stretches

of the fabled Karakoram Highway, and domestic airline connections increased.

H.E. Syed Ibne Abbas, Pakistan High Commissioner to the UK met with All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Pakistan at the British Parliament on 23 January 2018. Rehman Chishti MP, Chairman of the APPG on Pakistan organized the meeting. A wide range of issues of common interest were dis-cussed in detail.

Briefing the APPG members on Pa-kistan’s efforts to eliminate extremism and terrorism, the High Commissioner said Pakistan rendered more sacrifices in fight against terrorism than any other country in the world. He reiterated Pa-kistan’s commitment to fight terrorism till the end. However, the High Com-missioner said terrorism is a global phenomenon and, therefore, needs a global response. The APPG members appreciated Pakistan’s important role in fighting terrorism and acknowledged its sacrifices.

The High Commissioner apprised the British Parliamentarians of serious human rights violations in the Indian

Occupied Kashmir (IOK), and called upon the APPG members to play their role to end the sufferings of the Kashmiri people. He also called upon the British government for similar support to the people of Kashmir. The High Commis-sioner reiterated Pakistan’s political, diplomatic and moral support for the

Memorial Reference for Munnu Bhai at the High Commission

High Commissioner meets with APPG on Pakistan

Pakistan committed to fighting terrorism: Syed Ibne Abbas

rightful cause of the Kashmiris.The High Commissioner expressed

his desire to organize a cross-party parliamentary delegation from the UK to Pakistan in near future. The APPG members welcomed the proposal.

The two sides expressed satisfaction over the positive trajectory in bilateral

trade. However, they underlined that there was still great scope to further expand the bilateral trade volume by exploring new areas of cooperation.

Among others who attended the meeting included: Rehman Chishti MP, Chairman APPG; Lord David Alton; Lord Qurban Hussain; Baroness Zahi-da Manzoor; Ms Cooper MP; Yasmin Qureshi MP; Imran Hussain MP; Naz Shah MP; Afzal Khan MP; Faisal Rashid MP, Tony Lloyd MP and Kelvin Hop-kins MP.

A delegation of the visiting parlia-mentarians from Pakistan comprising Senator Daud Achakzai; Senator Baz Muhammad Khan, and Maeza Hameed MNA also attended the meeting.

Both sides agreed to work together to further strengthen bilateral ties.

To honour the memory and pay trib-utes to eminent literary personality of Pakistan, Munnu Bhai (Late), a Memo-rial Reference was held at the Pakistan High Commission London on 30 Janu-ary 2018. Jointly organized by the High Commission and Urdu Markaz London, the Reference was presided over by Act-ing High Commissioner Zahid Hafeez Chuadhri. A large number of fans of Munnu Bhai together with media per-sons assembled to pay rich tribute to the distinguished literary personality and philanthropist. Munnu Bhai died on 19

January 2018 at the age of 84.Renowned broadcaster of the BBC

Urdu Service Raza Ali Abedi, Ambas-sador Wajid Shamsul Hasan, Aqeel Danish, Elderman Mushtaq Lasharie (CBE), Muhammad Shahid Rassam, Ms Shahida Jarral and Dr Javaid Sheikh, Chairman Urdu Markaz London spoke on Munnu Bhai’s work and personality. They termed him an outstanding writer, poet and columnist of the contemporary age, who always wrote about common man and advocated the rights of the common people.

Munnu Bhai was commended for set-ting and maintaining high standards to promote truthful and constructive journalism. The speakers made special mention of Munnu Bhai’s popular TV dramas especially Sona Chandi which was one of the most popular drama in the history of PTV. He was remembered and recognized for his lifelong com-mitment to work for the Thalassemia affected children. As well, it was ac-knowledged with gratitude that Munnu Bhai donated his entire library to the Government College University Lahore

in recognition of its efforts to promote drama.

In his concluding remarks, the Acting High Commissioner said that Munnu Bhai would always be remembered for his great contribution to promote Paki-stani literature, poetry and culture. Mr Chaudhri also commended the phil-anthropic pursuits of late Munnu Bhai.

Pakistani cardiologist honoured with Britain’s Young Investigators Award

No child out of school in 2018: Rana Mashood Ahmad Khan

Punjab Government and British Council sign two MoUs on education

Rana Mashood Ahmad Khan, Minis-ter School Education Punjab said that by the end of 2018, no child between ages 5 to 8 would be out of school in Punjab. He was speaking at a dinner reception hosted by the Pakistan High Commis-sion London in honour of the visiting delegation from Pakistan that attended the Education World Forum (EWF) in London. The visit was organized by the British Council Pakistan.

Two Memorandums of Understand-ing (MoUs) were signed between the Government of Punjab and the British Council in Pakistan. Under the MoUs the British Council in Pakistan will help create linkages and exchange of best practices between School Education Department, Government of Punjab and UK institutions in the areas of Skills and Physical Education.

Rana Mashood informed that the government was introducing the tech-nical skills at the school level to equip our youth with munch needed skill sets relevant to the international job market. The Minister appreciated the coopera-tion of the British Council in education

sector of the province.The Minister particularly commend-

ed the vision and leadership role of Chief Minister Punjab, Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif in placing education among the top priority areas of the government. He said that it was because of Chief Minis-ter’s vision that the education sector has

shown significant qualitative improve-ments which have been acknowledged by international publications and insti-tutions alike.

Acting High Commissioner, Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri welcomed the del-egation to the High Commission. He appreciated the Government of Punjab

for putting in its best efforts to improve the standards of education in the prov-ince. Mr Chaudhri stated that Pakistan and UK enjoy excellent relations in all areas of common interest and termed UK a valuable development partner of Pakistan. He commended the role of the Department for International Develop-ment (DfID) and the British Council in promotion of education and uplift of overall socio-economic conditions in Pakistan.

Other speakers at the dinner recep-tion included: Michael O’ Sullivan, CEO Cambridge Assessment; Ms Sabahat Rafiq, CEO United We Reach and Rose-mary Hilhorst (OBE), Country Director, British Council Pakistan. Ms Hilhorst, in her remarks, reiterated the British Council’s commitment to improving the quality of education in Pakistan and strengthening the cultural ties between the two countries.

While in London, the visiting delega-tion attended the three-day Education World Forum (EWF) in London which took place from 21 – 24 January 2018. 31 January 2018

A young Pakistani cardiologist, Jaffar Khan, has won the British Cardiovas-cular Intervention Society’s prestigious 2018 Young Investigators Award. The doctor had conducted first successful set of surgeries on humans using Jaffar’s procedure.

The cardiologist used a procedure, which is medically described as ‘lacer-ation of the anterior mitral valve leaflet to prevent outflow track obstruction,’ nicknamed with the acronym “LAM-POON”

“LAMPOON is a procedure I invent-ed at the National Institutes of Health in America. It is a ‘keyhole’ cardiac surgery

technique that resects heart tissue for the first time using minimally invasive techniques,” Jaffar said. The research in-volved invention of the concept, testing in animals, and translation into humans.

“I am now the clinical lead for an FDA approved clinical trial together with Dr Robert Lederman, head of the cardio-vascular intervention branch at NIH,” he said.

Mehfil-e-milad held at the Pakistan Consulate, Bradford

The Consulate of Pakistan, Bradford hosted Mehfil-e-Milad for ladies of the community at the Consulate building on 19 January 2017. The event was attend-ed by a large number of female guests from all walks of life including former Lord Mayor of Bradford, wives of former Lord Mayors, Local female Councillors, business women and media personnel.

The participants shed light on vari-ous aspects of the life of Holy Prophet (PBUH). The ladies also recited naats and salam on the occasion. Young girls were also invited to speak on Islam and its teachings. The Consulate regularly acts as a platform for the women of com-munity for socio-cultural gatherings.

While in London, the visiting delega-tion attended the three-day Education World Forum (EWF) in London which took place from 21 – 24 January 2018. 31 January 2018

Senator Lt Gen (R) Abdul Qayyum addressing the officers of the Pakistan High Commission London

For over 150 years, Bahawalpur re-mained a princely state with the Nawabs (the Abbasi family) allowed to rule it completely.

The Nawabof Bahawalpur was very generous and donated a lot of his per-sonal property to such institutions as University of the Punjab, King Edward Medical College and the Mosque of Aitchison College.

The Nawabs also did a lot for the state in terms of infrastructure and de-velopment as well as making it one of the richest states in the sub-continent.

Indeed today there are some beautiful palaces and forts that are testament to the grandeur of the Nawabs. Let us con-sider the three most well known.

The Noor Mahal was built in 1872 and modeled on a neo-classical Italian chateau but also encompasses Islamic styles of architecture resulting in a truly magnificent building. It is open to the public but also used for holding state darbars.

The Darbar Mahal was also a former palace and fort of the Nawabs. Complet-ed in 1905, it is an elegant building of

red brick adorned with white. The inte-rior is equally impressive with beautiful furniture, rich carpets and chandeliers that instantly transport one back to a bygone age.

The enormous and impressive Der-awar Fort stands proud in the Cholistan Desert about a two-hour drive from the city. The walls have a circumference of 1500m and bastions that are 30m high. The original fort was built about 800 years ago but was captured by the Nawabs in 1733. The fort is still easy enough to visit and if you have time then

call ahead as permission can be sought from the Abbasi family to be allowed into the grounds of the fort itself.

If you have some more time then there are numerous other palaces in the city built by the Nawabs that are all worth a visit. March is a great time to visit Bahawalpur so make sure you stop and look about rather than just pass through.