Pak HC discusses economic, education linkages with the Lord Mayor of Cardiff

Syed Ibne Abbas, Pakistan High Commissioner to the UK, met with The Lord Mayor of Cardiff, Councilor Bob Derbyshire at his official residence, Mansion House, says an official press statement here Saturday.

Lord Mayor welcomed the High Commissioner's visit to Wales and highlighted the multi ethnic character of Cardiff which included a strong community presence of British Pakistanis in the city of Cardiff and its vicinity. He also expressed hope that there would be an increase in overseas students from Pakistan coming for higher studies in Cardiff's leading universities.

The High Commissioner, in his remarks, discussed potential areas of cooperation between Pakistan and Wales. He proposed the idea of twining Cardiff city with one of Pakistan's cities such as Faisalabad in view of its background as an important industrial centre and prospects for exchange of scholars as well as researchers particularly in the field of agriculture. He also briefed The Lord Mayor about the Lahore Knowledge Park and opportunities it offers for universities in Cardiff to set up their overseas campuses at this facility.

The likelihood of having a Pakistani Honorary Consulate in Cardiff was also discussed during the meeting. Lord Mayor welcomed this development and underscored the importance of this initiative as being crucial to bring more shared benefits and to increase Pakistan's footprint in the region of Wales. He hoped that this idea would materialize soon.

At the end of the meeting, the High Commissioner presented a coffee table book on Pakistan to The Lord Mayor. He also wrote his remarks on the visitors’ book at Mansion House.

The Lord Mayor, First Citizen of Cardiff, is the lead ambassador at the City's civic functions and serves as Chairperson of Council meetings.

This was the last engagement of the High Commissioner's visit to Wales where he interacted with the community, parliamentarians, business persons, professionals and The Lord Mayor. Such visits of the High Commissioner are part of the broader outreach programme of the High Commission aimed to connect with the Diaspora and further bring them into the fold of the British mainstream society.