British High Commissioner hosts the Queen’s 93rd birthday party in Karachi
To celebrate Her Majesty the Queen’s 93rd birthday, the British High Commissioner, Thomas Drew CMG, held a reception in her honour at the British Deputy High Commission in Karachi. The Governor of Sindh, Imran Ismail, was the Chief Guest at the celebrations, which were also attended by prominent guests from the world of government, diplomacy, culture, academia and the media.
The Pakistan women’s cricket team also attended ahead of the upcoming Cricket World Cup that will take place in England and Wales this summer.
The event also featured music from a British military band – the Countess of Wessex’s String Orchestra, a quartet from London – and the best of British cooking.
Speaking at the Queen’s Birthday Party reception the British High Commissioner to Pakistan, Thomas Drew CMG, said:Pakistan matters to the UK. Our national interest is tied up in Pakistan’s success – in helping Pakistan unlock its enormous potential, so evident in a city like Karachi.
2% of our population that have Pakistani heritage, who number 12 Members of Parliament, a Cabinet Minister and the Mayor of London alone. It is reinforced by our second biggest diplomatic mission in the world, our biggest bilateral development programme – which makes the UK Pakistan’s biggest donor of bilateral aid.
We are Pakistan’s second biggest export market, and second biggest inward investor. The bottom line is that Pakistan could not have a more committed partner.
The British Deputy High Commissioner and Trade Director for Pakistan, Elin Burns, said:
As the business capital of Pakistan, Karachi represents a huge opportunity for strengthening existing ties between the UK and Pakistan on trade. Tonight’s event represents the strength and diversity of those relationships, not only on trade but across the board.
GOV.UK April,26
