Pakistan HC appeals to Pakistanis to be calm, vigilant

ISLAMABAD : In the wake of ongoing riots in the Britain , Pakistan 's High Commissioner to UK Wajid Shamsul Hasan has

Published August 10, 2011 Updated August 10, 2011 03:13pm

3 min

By Abdul Ahad

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He has also advised the visitors from Pakistan to get themselves registered with the mission to ensure their safety and security.

Speaking to the media representatives at the Pakistan High Commission in London on Wednesday Wajid Shamsul Hasan said that the Pakistan High Commission and its Consulates General in the UK are vigilant to the situation and would be ready to render any assistance to the Pakistani community, according to a message received here from London.

He said that the community can report on Pakistan High Commission's website www.phclondon.org where a provision has been made for registering any untoward incident concerning the community.

"I also avail this opportunity to call upon all Pakistanis visiting the UK to register their presence with the High Commission in London or nearby Consulates General in Birmingham, Bradford, Manchester or Glasgow. They are also advised not to visit those areas which are declared sensitive by the British authorities," he added.

Urging upon Pakistani community to remain calm and support British Government in tackling the current situation the High Commissioner said "the sole idea to hold this press conference emanates from the fact that I want to give a message to Pakistani Diaspora to remain calm and don't be misled by those who might be making attempts to create rift among various communities. It is also to express solidarity with the British authorities and assure them of all our co-operation".

While apprising the media on casualties in Pakistani community the High Commissioner informed "we have reports that in many incidents, Pakistani community members have been targeted by rioters; their properties were looted and later set on fire.

Some were bodily harmed, including a staff member of the High Commission. As of now, three British Pakistanis were killed in Birmingham, reportedly when a speedy car overran them while they were guarding their properties against vandalism".

The three killed in Birmingham are Mussawar, Shahzad and Haroon. Mussawar and Shahzad are brothers. Pakistan's Consul General in Birmingham visited the bereaved families and offered condolences on our behalf said Mr. Hasan adding that the Pakistan High Commission in London is in constant touch with its Consul Generals in Birmingham, Bradford, Manchester and Glasgow and also community leaders.

The High Commissioner said "I had appealed to the Pakistani community yesterday to maintain calm and vigilance and extend their full cooperation to the British authorities and I advise the Pakistan community to immediately report any untoward incident to the Police and also inform the High Commission so that a close liaison could be made with the British authorities to overcome the situation.

Calling upon community to avoid falling prey to opportunist elements the High Commissioner said, "we are aware that some mischievous elements are trying to drag the Pakistani community into these riots.

However, I would appeal to the Pakistani community to maintain calm and vigilance and extend their full cooperation to the British authorities. I have informed the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) about our concerns and have also assured our full cooperation to the British Government in bringing the situation to normalcy".

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