Pakistan-UK
relationship, spanning over 70 years, has only strengthened over time. This
growing strength can only be defined by the Pakistani community that resides in
Great Britain. The UK is home to the largest Pakistani community in Europe,
similar to the Pakistani diaspora in Saudi Arabia. Britain can account for 2%
of its population to trace its roots back to Pakistan. British Pakistani have a
significant contribution to the economic, social, academic, cultural and
political fabric of the country. Furthermore, 12 members of the House of
Commons are Pakistani which then acts as a connecting bridge between the two
nations.
The British
deputy high commissioner Richard Crowder stated that the Pakistani-UK
relationship is nothing but “friendly and deep”.
Pakistan
and the United Kingdom have a shared interest in evolving global geopolitical
and geo-economic environment. Both countries have stakes in the UN and the
Commonwealth. Pakistan became a part of the Commonwealth of Nations when it
became independent on 14th August 1947. Pakistan is a part of this coalition of
nations along with India. It cannot be argued that India was favored by the
British during partition and the facts are rooted in history. Pakistan always
makes efforts to improve its relations with Great Britain in order to counter
India.
UK’s
diplomatic mission in Pakistan is one of the largest in the world and the value
of DFID (Department for international development) investment will be over a billion pounds by
2021. The British council schools and
training institutes play their part in the overall plan for the UK’s investment
in education in Pakistan and have integrated themselves in the Pakistani
education system.
This system
creates ambitious candidates that constitute most of the international outflow
of students from Pakistan, mostly to Britain. These candidates after completing
their education continue to live and work in the UK through which a foundation
for settlement is laid, for their families, in Great Britain. This entire process
adds to the immigration process, family units from a developing country such as
Pakistan aspire to live in the UK, and their children who study or work there
become their means of respite. The already existing Pakistani diaspora in the
UK helps integrate these newcomers which then positively contribute to the
overall society of the United Kingdom.
There was a
strict policy towards various countries in the EU immigration rules which
caused several problems for Pakistani nationals, but post-Brexit hopes to
provide several opportunities to Pakistanis. With the UK looking to renew its
global partnerships; including free trade agreements with newly emerging and
growing economies, the UK being one of Pakistan's biggest trading partners in
Europe Pakistan can expect a boost in trade relations and policies that further
ease the process of immigration in the future. With the recent relaxation of
travel guidelines for Pakistan by the UK, the prime minister of Pakistan
tweeted;
"This
is great news as it will address two most important economic issues facing Pak
today: employment & our current account deficit, by bringing in tourism
& investment which in turn will provide employment opportunities especially
for our youth".
AM
