LONDON: As part of the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO)’s efforts to connect with diaspora communities, officials visited Bradford to meet with British-Pakistani nationals.
The delegation was led by the Head of the Pakistan Department Richard Lindsay, who used the visit to connect with about 140,000 people of Pakistani heritage in the city.
The FCDO delegation met with different organizations, including Women Zone, Empowering Minds and QED Foundation. They also met with some of the women from the BBC’s Bradford Aunties documentary which addresses the loss of skills, language, and culture across the generational gap.
Head of Pakistan Richard Lindsay said that those of Pakistani heritage in Bradford make a significant contribution to both Britain and Pakistan, including through Zakat, leadership and cultural contributions.
Celebrating Best of Pakistan-UK Relationship
He said that it has been a productive day, celebrating the best of the Pakistan-UK relationship, while also being able to have frank, constructive discussions on some of the challenges ahead.
Conversations centered around human rights, security, and the need for immediate economic reform.
The visit took place following the launch of the first UK-Pakistan Advisory Council, which Lindsay headed, on Monday 29 April. The advisory council brings together representatives of British-Pakistani from across the UK, with expertise in various sectors from education and business to women’s empowerment and climate change, to offer advice on how Britain can advance its partnership with Pakistan.
