Pakistan's High Commissioner to UK Syed Ibne Abbas gives a talk at the Oxford University

LONDON: Syed Ibne Abbas Pakistan High Commissioner to United Kingdom (UK) visited Oxford University here for an exclusive talk and interactive session with a select group of students of the Oxford University’s Pakistan Society who were also joined by students from the Cambridge Pakistan Society.

According to a statement of the Pakistan High Commission issued here Thursday, the visit was part of High Commission’s Youth Engagement and outreach initiative for the year 2018.

Nobel Laureate Malala Yousafzai also attended the talk.

The High Commissioner gave an overview of the political and economic situation in Pakistan and briefed them about the opportunities available for the talented and educated Pakistani youth. He highlighted the completion of Pakistan’s another parliamentary term and landmark democratic transition which would result in enhanced economic growth, human development and social welfare of the entire nation.

Speaking on the occasion, the High Commissioner said: “Jinnah’s vision of a democratic and pluralistic state remains the guiding principle of Pakistan. The forward-looking development agenda and social and economic reforms in Pakistan over the past few years and selfless sacrifices rendered by our civil and armed forces in fight against the extremism and terrorism have resulted in remarkable successes.”

Emphasizing upon the economic opportunities, the High Commissioner Syed Ibne Abbas briefed the students about the benefits arising out of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and resultant dividends thereof.

He said “Pakistan sits in the middle of the world’s half of the population which makes it a hub of economic connectivity for the region. In this regard, China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a framework of the regional connectivity, will not only benefit Pakistan and China but will bring about economic integration of the entire region.”

The High Commissioner termed Pakistan-UK relations based on shared values and mutual understanding. He was sanguine about the significant increase in bilateral trade volume and highlighted scope for furthering commercial ties post Brexit.

The High Commissioner invited the educated youth to visit Pakistan and look at the opportunities for them in public and private sectors of Pakistan. He highlighted the success stories of Pakistanis at home and in the UK.

During the interaction, he also briefed the audience about the importance of soft power and the role played by the High Commission in this regard to build bridges through people to people contacts and cultural diplomacy.

The students were apprised of the commemoration of Pakistan’s 70th independence an anniversary that was celebrated in London through a series of events organized by the High Commission throughout 2017.

While talking about the challenges faced by Pakistan, Syed Ibne Abbas said that the problems associated with the population explosion, environmental degradation and water scarcity were priority areas that need to be focused upon by the country in next few years.

The students evinced keen interest in working for Pakistan. They asked searching questions about career opportunities in business, entrepreneurship and opportunities for employment in the private and government sectors of Pakistan.

High Commissioner thanked Haroon Zaman, President of the Oxford Pakistan Society and other members for organizing the interaction.