British High Commissioner Jane Marriott Celebrates Strong People-to-People Ties during Mirpur Visit

Mirpur AJK - 10 January 2024 (Adnan Hameed) : In a significant visit to Mirpur, the British High Commissioner to Pakistan, Jane Marriott, accompanied by Richard Lindsay, Head of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, Pakistan Department, expressed gratitude for the enduring ties between the UK and Pakistan's diaspora. Mirpur, often referred to as a home away from home for Pakistani Brits, welcomed the High Commissioner, offering insights into the profound cross-cultural influences that have shaped the city, especially with an estimated 70% of British Pakistanis originating from Mirpur. During the visit, the High Commissioner and the Head of Pakistan Department engaged with various government officials, including the Commissioner of the Mirpur region and the Deputy Inspector General of Police, expressing appreciation for their ongoing support. Emphasizing the importance of consular support for the British community in the area, Marriott highlighted the pivotal role played by the UK-Pakistani diaspora in strengthening the bilateral relationship. Addressing the Mirpur Chamber of Commerce, High Commissioner Jane Marriott remarked, "This visit has reaffirmed my view that across Pakistan, there is a lot more we can do together. Whether it's liberalizing trade, opening up investment opportunities, bringing in new technologies, or assisting Pakistan on the path to sustainable growth and clean energy – there is so much we can do." The visit extended to the Muslim Hands Football Academy, where the High Commissioner met with the Street Children Team, runners-up at the Street Children Football World Cup in Qatar. Marriott commended the footballing talent at the academy and expressed her pleasure in witnessing the support from British Pakistanis, highlighting the shared love of sport between the two nations. Reflecting on the broader spectrum of cooperation, Marriott said, "Our Chevening scholarship on football science, sponsored by Swindon Town Football Club, is a celebration of this shared love, helping to build the next generation of football coaches." In a meeting with members of the British community in Mirpur, alongside President Barrister Sultan Mahmood, the High Commissioner discussed priorities and the significance of people-to-people links. Climate change and its impacts on Pakistan and the region were also on the agenda during talks with President Barrister Sultan Mahmood. As the visit concluded, High Commissioner Jane Marriott returned to Islamabad with a strong conviction that the UK and Pakistan are poised to grow even closer, reaffirming their commitment to deepening the bilateral relationship.