British High Commissioner expresses solidarity with the people of Lahore
Thomas Drew CMG, underlined the strength of the UK’s commitment to Punjab and used his visit to learn more about the province from a wide range of sections of society.
British High Commissioner, Mr. Thomas Drew CMG meeting with Chief Minister of Punjab, Mian Shehbaz Sharif.
The British High Commissioner, Mr. Thomas Drew CMG, visited Lahore for his first official visit since taking post. He in particular underlined his solidarity with the people of Lahore following the tragic events at Gulshan-e-Iqbal Park.
Expressing his condolences on behalf of the British Government to the Chief Minister, the British High Commissioner said:
I am in Lahore shortly after the appalling terrorist attack that claimed so many innocent lives and left many more injured.
The UK stands shoulder to shoulder with Pakistan in tackling terrorism. As Prime Minister David Cameron said in his message of condolence to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, our thoughts are with the victims and their families. We will continue to provide support and assistance to the Government of Pakistan as it works to defeat those who plan and carry out these acts of terror.
The British High Commissioner also met leading figures from Lahore’s academic, political, development and business sectors. He sought their views on the issues, opportunities and challenges facing Pakistan.
Mr. Drew visited the Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) where he was hosted by Syed Babar Ali, Pro-Chancellor of LUMS, Prof. Dr. Sohail H. Naqvi, Vice Chancellor of LUMS and student representatives from various departments of the University. He also met the Chairman of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Mr. Shaharyar M. Khan, with whom he discussed the Pakistan cricket team’s upcoming tour of the UK.
Finally he visited the Kashf Foundation’s training and small business incubation centre for women in the Walton Cantonment area of Lahore. Mr. Drew was impressed to see how the social and economic position of women involved had been strengthened through the acquisition of new skills and facilitated access to finance. These are key elements of the UK’s Department for International Development economic growth portfolio.
Contact
Press Attaché
British High Commission
Islamabad
Tel. 051 201 2000