Latest news with #UK-Pakistan
Business Recorder
5 days ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
Conflict with India: Gilani praises Britain's behind-the-scenes diplomacy
ISLAMABAD: Senate Chairman Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani took centre stage on Thursday in a high-stakes diplomatic sit-down with British High Commissioner Jane Marriott – pitching Pakistan as a peace-driven, climate-hit, and investment-hungry nation eager to deepen relations with the UK. Calling himself 'a man of peace,' Gilani praised Britain's behind-the-scenes diplomacy for easing tensions between nuclear neighbours Pakistan and India during the recent four-day clash between the two archrivals. With Marriott nodding along, Gilani pressed the UK to double down on its counter-terror cooperation and back efforts to stamp out extremism and cross-border threats – code for trouble brewing from across the Indian border. Gilani didnot mince words, once again calling for a UN-backed peaceful resolution to the decades-old flashpoint of Kashmir dispute, while urging London to use its diplomatic muscle. Gilani also flashed Pakistan's humanitarian credentials, reminding the world Pakistan has hosted more than three million Afghan refugees over the years – and is still footing the bill. He pleaded for global help in fixing what he called a simmering refugee crisis. On the green front, Gilani sounded the climate alarm. With Pakistan battered by floods, droughts, and rising temperatures, he pitched partnerships with Britain on everything from clean energy to disaster response. On trade, Gilani said that the £4.1 billion in annual volume barely scratches the surface of what Pakistan and the UK could achieve, urging both sides to unlock the 'untapped goldmine' of economic potential. He called for fresh trade deals, a surge in UK investment, and faster, friendlier student and work visas, saying it is time to supercharge academic links and crank up economic engines on both sides. Cybersecurity, defence, intelligence, training – Gilani put them all on the table during his meeting with Marriott, sketching out what he dubbed a 'dynamic and forward-looking' UK-Pakistan partnership. Marriott, for her part, gave a diplomatic thumbs-up, praising the 'constructive dialogue' and pledging Britain's full-throttle support for a safer, greener, and more prosperous Pakistan. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
26-05-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Abacus hosts British HC delegation to strengthen tech collaboration
LAHORE: Abacus, a leader in delivering world class technology, outsourcing, and consulting solutions, was honoured to host a distinguished delegation from the British High Commission at its Lahore BPO office on 24th May 2025. The delegation, led by Jane Marriott CMG OBE – British High Commissioner to Pakistan – included Ben Warrington, Head of the Lahore Office, and Reema Salman, Chevening Alumni Engagement Officer. The visit underscored shared ambitions to deepen technology collaboration and economic ties between the UK and Pakistan. The delegation engaged with Abacus's leadership team, including Fatima Asad-Said – CEO of Abacus, Faeza Khan – Chief Strategy Officer, and Shaheryar Rafiq Butt – Global Head of the BPO Division, along with other senior executive leaders, to discuss opportunities for expanding IT and technology partnerships. British High Commissioner, Jane Marriott CMG OBE, said: 'Abacus is a fantastic example of how strong UK-Pakistan partnerships can reap benefits for both countries. Both the UK and Pakistan's IT sectors are powerhouses of talent and innovation. There is huge potential to be found in collaboration.' Fatima Asad-Said, CEO of Abacus, remarked: 'This visit reaffirms the strategic importance of the UK as a pivotal market for Abacus. We are poised to scale our impact through partnerships that leverage British expertise and Pakistan's tech prowess. We appreciate the High Commissioner's proactive engagement and look forward to translating these discussions into impactful collaborations.' Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Yahoo
Man who planned to bomb Bluewater shopping centre ‘deported to Pakistan'
Jawad Akbar, who was 23 at the time of the 2004 plot, was jailed for life in April 2007 after being convicted of conspiracy to cause explosions (Image: PA/Met Police) A terrorist jailed for plotting to bomb Bluewater shopping centre has been deported to Pakistan, according to the MailOnline. Jawad Akbar, who was 23 at the time of the 2004 plot, was jailed for life in April 2007 after being convicted of conspiracy to cause explosions. He was part of a five-man terror cell linked to al-Qaeda, which had also planned attacks on the Ministry of Sound nightclub and discussed using a radioactive 'dirty' bomb. His minimum 17-and-a-half-year sentence ended in September 2021. The Parole Board ruled in 2022 that he was too dangerous to be released, partly because it was unclear how he could be supervised if deported. ADVERTISEMENT According to the MailOnline, a second parole hearing did not take place and Akbar was deported to Pakistan in the past year under a UK-Pakistan returns agreement signed in 2019. While the Home Office reportedly confirmed the deportation to MailOnline, it has not confirmed this to the News Shopper The department stated it does not comment on individual cases. Akbar, originally from Crawley, West Sussex, was one of five men sentenced to life for planning attacks using home-made bombs designed to cause mass casualties. A Home Office spokesperson said: "Foreign nationals who commit heinous crimes should be in no doubt that we will do everything to make sure they are not free on Britain's streets, including removal from the UK at the earliest possible opportunity. 'Since the election we've removed 3,594 foreign criminals, a 16 per cent increase on the same period 12 months prior.'
