Latest news with #PakistanHighCommission
Arab News
5 hours ago
- Business
- Arab News
Pakistan seeks ‘forward-looking' UK ties, urges greater Commonwealth trade and connectivity
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is seeking a 'forward-looking partnership' with the United Kingdom and remains committed to expanding trade and connectivity within the Commonwealth, according to official statements on Tuesday following high-level meetings in London. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, who arrived in the UK on Saturday, is on an official visit aimed at strengthening Pakistan-UK relations, deepening cooperation in digital technology, artificial intelligence, entrepreneurship and boosting multilateral ties through the Commonwealth. He also inaugurated a pilot project of the Punjab Land Record Authority at the Pakistan High Commission to help members of the diaspora resolve land issues in Pakistan remotely. Dar held separate meetings with British Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner and Commonwealth Secretary‑General Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey today after interacting with members of the British-Pakistani community earlier in his visit. 'Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister of Pakistan, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, held a productive meeting today with the Deputy Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Angela Rayner, in London,' the foreign office said. 'They emphasized the importance of sustained high-level engagement and expressed satisfaction with the positive momentum in relations, driven by close people-to-people ties and growing collaboration across multiple domains.' The statement said Dar 'underscored Pakistan's desire to build an inclusive and forward-looking partnership with the United Kingdom.' He also highlighted the contributions of the British-Pakistani diaspora to the UK and extended an invitation to Rayner to visit Islamabad at a mutually convenient time. COMMONWEALTH CONNECTIVITY The Pakistani deputy premier also met Commonwealth Secretary-General Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey over breakfast, congratulating her on her recent appointment and reaffirming Pakistan's deep commitment to the organization as a founding member. Reflecting on their earlier exchange at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Samoa, Dar expressed confidence in the Commonwealth's role as a platform to foster shared values and build consensus among member states. 'The DPM/FM assured the Secretary‑General of Pakistan's strong commitment to the Commonwealth's Sustainable Development and Connectivity agendas,' the foreign office said. 'He underscored Pakistan's intent to play a more active role in promoting intra‑Commonwealth trade and development.' 'Additionally,' it added, 'he underscored Pakistan's acute vulnerability to climate change and sought the Commonwealth's support in addressing this pressing challenge.' Dar praised Botchwey's work on the 2025–2030 Commonwealth Strategic Plan and conveyed Pakistan's full support for advancing shared goals of democracy, development, and resilience. He also extended a formal invitation to the Commonwealth Secretary-General to visit Islamabad at her earliest convenience.
Business Recorder
19 hours ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
Dar opens two initiatives at London HC
ISLAMABAD: Senator Ishaq Dar, deputy prime minister and foreign minister inaugurated two landmark initiatives at the Pakistan High Commission in London: the 'Provision of Land Record Services' and the 'One Window Passport Processing System.' These initiatives fulfil the commitment made by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at the Overseas Pakistanis Convention in April 2025, marking a significant step towards efficient, transparent, and accessible governance for Pakistanis abroad. The Land Record Services, developed through collaboration between the Punjab Land Revenue Authority (PLRA) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, enable British Pakistanis to remotely access and manage property records in Punjab without the need to travel to Pakistan. This digital platform offers services such as online sale deeds, Fard (Record of Rights), e-Girdawari, mutation entries, and document attestation, all secured by blockchain technology to ensure transparency and prevent fraud. A dedicated Land Services Desk at the Pakistan High Commission in London will support the pilot phase, with plans to expand to other Pakistani consulates in the United Kingdom. Concurrently, the One Window Passport Processing System, implemented by the Directorate General of Immigration and Passports (IMPASS), streamlines passport application procedures by consolidating multiple steps into a single, efficient counter. This system reduces processing time to approximately 10 minutes per application, enhancing convenience, reducing congestion, and ensuring greater transparency for British Pakistanis. In his remarks, Dar described these initiatives as 'a digital leap towards safeguarding diaspora rights and fostering investment.' He commended the collaborative efforts of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Punjab Land Revenue Authority, National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA), and the Pakistan High Commission in London for their dedication to realising the government's vision of innovative, responsive, and efficient services for overseas Pakistanis. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
3 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Ishaq Dar arrives in United Kingdom
Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Saturday arrived in the United Kingdom for a series of diplomatic meetings with British and Commonwealth leaders scheduled from August 17 to 19. In London, Dar will hold meetings with the Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Pakistan Hamish Falconer, in addition to attending a breakfast meeting with the Commonwealth Secretary-General Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey. He will also inaugurate a Punjab Land Record Authority's project, piloted at the Pakistan High Commission, London.
The Hindu
19-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Stateless for four years, doctor from Pakistan knocks on Gujarat High Court's door for citizenship
A 50-year-old doctor from Pakistan has been 'stateless' for the past four years and decided to move the Gujarat High Court with the hope of pushing officials to help him secure Indian citizenship. Nanikraz Khanoomal Mukhi, who had a sonography clinic in Pakistan's Hyderabad, chose to move to India in 2009 for his children's education and to escape possible religious persecution. After settling down in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, where his relatives are residing, Dr. Mukhi applied for citizenship in 2016. In 2021, he received a letter from Ahmedabad Collector's office that the application has been processed and he would receive the citizenship soon. This is when Dr. Mukhi's troubles began. Also read: India's citizenship laws: The Constituent Assembly dilemma 'Like an open jail' 'On receiving the letter, I went to Pakistan High Commission in Delhi, surrendered my Pakistani passport and renounced Pakistani citizenship. However, the citizenship certificate never arrived and for the past four years I am living as a stateless person. It is like being in an open jail. I have no nationality,' Dr. Mukhi told The Hindu. After writing letters and visiting the Ahmedabad Collector's office multiple times, Dr. Mukhi moved the Gujarat High Court against the Union of India and State of Gujarat on April 30. 'The Union government is yet to file a reply, the case keeps getting adjourned. This is grave injustice. We left Pakistan to make a better life here. I was worried about my daughter's safety. There are several cases of forcible conversion of women there. But now I am being made to suffer here because government officials have chosen to look the other way,' Dr. Mukhi said. The next date of hearing is August 6. Wife, children secured citizenship Dr. Mukhi's wife, who had applied for citizenship with him, has been granted the naturalisation certificate. His three children acquired citizenship after they registered under the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), 2019 which became effective on March 11, 2024. Citizenship is a subject under the Union List and is decided by the Ministry of Home Affairs. The Ministry has, however, periodically delegated powers to district magistrates/collectors of 31 districts in nine States to grant citizenship to legal migrants (who entered on passport/visa) from the Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi and Christian communities from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan under Section 5 (by registration) and Section 6 (naturalisation) of the Citizenship Act, 1955. He added that he too applied for citizenship under CAA in 2024 but his application is pending. Though CAA is for undocumented migrants from the three countries, the online portal asks applicants to provide any six types of documents and specify 'date of entry' in India. The applicants are also asked for an 'eligibility certificate' issued by a 'locally reputed community institution' confirming that he/she belongs to 'Hindu/ Sikh/ Buddhist/ Jain/ Parsi/ Christian community and continues to be a member of the above mentioned community.' The empowered committee, which grants citizenship under CAA, is headed by Director (Census Operations) in each State. 'The Census official told me that my application [under CAA] is pending as I applied through Collector's office and renounced Pakistani citizenship on the basis of a letter,' Dr. Mukhi added.
Express Tribune
13-07-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
UK-Pakistani leaders urged to counter stereotypes
The British elected councillors and mayors across the party line have appreciated the Pakistan High Commission (PHC) for gathering community leadership, enabling them to connect with their colleagues and peers from across the UK. The PHC in London hosted a convention of Pakistani-origin British Councilors, which was attended by delegates from across the UK, representing all the political parties in the United Kingdom, said a message received here on Sunday. More than 200 councilors, mayors, deputy mayors and leaders of the councils from Greater London to Midlands, Manchester, Bradford, Birmingham and Glasgow, participated in the event. Speaking on the occasion, Pakistan High Commissioner Dr Mohammad Faisal praised British-Pakistani leaders for their vital role in strengthening democracy, fostering multiculturalism, and serving as a bridge between the UK and Pakistan. The high commissioner emphasised on projecting the achievements of British-Pakistani women. "The strength of our nation abroad is reflected in the dignity, unity, and contributions of our diaspora," he stated. "When you rise, Pakistan rises with you." Faisal condemned attempts to stigmatise the Pakistani community based on isolated incidents, urging leaders to actively counter negative stereotypes by amplifying success stories in education, business, healthcare, and public service. He called on the community to empower women and youth, preserve cultural heritage, and explore opportunities in Pakistan's growing economy.
