Pakistanis proud of their heritage: Uk business minister

LONDON: Britain’s Business Minister Sajid Javid has said that British Pakistanis are playing a positive role in Britain by making contribution to the business and civic life of the country and are proud of their heritage.
Addressing a reception in his honour organised by the Conservatives Friends of Pakistan (CFOP), the cabinet minister of Pakistani origin urged the British Pakistani youth to focus on “working hard to attain success”. He drew upon his own experience of growing in a working class Pakistani household and then going on to become a successful city trader and then becoming an essential and influential, part of the David Cameron’s cabinet.
The event was organised by Zameer Chaudhary, the CEO of Bestway group, and community leader and businessman Syed Qamar Raza. Pakistan’s High Commissioner to the UK Syed Ibne Abbas, prominent Conservative MPs and influential figures attended the reception.
Conservative mayoral candidate for London Zac Goldsmith MP and Imran Khan’s son Suleman Khan were also attended the reception.
The Secretary of State for the Business appreciated the role of Pakistani Diaspora in the UK and termed it positive. He observed that due to his intense engagement at the Parliament, he couldn’t find many opportunities to mingle with the community. “However, I always felt part of the community and your best wishes and prayers always circled me and have made my achievements possible.” He stressed that the British Pakistanis must pay back to Pakistan and the Great Britain both for the support they received from the two countries. He termed his appointment as minister a huge honour and an expression of trust from the Conservative Party.
“My ascent to the ministerial position is signature move in terms of equal opportunities available to the British Pakistanis and other ethnic communities,” He remarked.
Sajid Javid MP told the audience that he has been able to do well in Britain where “hard work is always rewarded and it doesn’t matter who you are and where you come from, whether you are first generation or second generation, local or native. Success is always yours if you work hard and remain focussed”.
Sajid Javid MP was appointed Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills on 11 May 2015. He was elected Conservative MP for Bromsgrove in 2010. He was Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport from April 2014 to May 2015.
The MP said that his government was working hard to “create opportunities for all”. He said that Britain passed through a dark phase of recession a few years ago but has come out stronger and better than many other countries those faced the same financial problems. “We have got an economy which is creating jobs and moving ahead. We will continue to do everything we can.”
Zameer Chaudhry, Chairman Conservative Friends of Pakistan and business tycoon, expressed thanks to the British government for its extensive assistance to the socio-economic challenges facing Pakistan. He referred to the hard work of the first generation of immigrants which created opportunities for the coming generations. Chaudhry stressed that the CFoP Has also been playing a key role in promoting entrepreneurship and leadership and warming up mutual relations between both the countries. Chaudhary said that Sajid Javid’s rise in David Cameron’s cabinet was a tribute to the community and an acknowledgement of the hard work they do in Britain. “We must celebrate the achievements of Pakistanis in the UK. There are Conservative Pakistani parliamentarians in both houses of the parliament which is a huge achievement. Lots of Pakistanis are entering into the Conservative party because we have shared common values.”
Zameer Chaudhry called on the British Pakistanis to follow the example of Sajid Javid.
Syed Qamar Raza, director of the Conservative Friends of Pakistan, said that Britons of Pakistani heritage are contributing in various social, political and economic fields to enrich Britain’s multicultural ethos. Their contributions, he said, exceeds 33 Billion Pounds in the British Gross Domestic Product and it was also heartening to note that they have also started to take an active part in mainstream British politics. Raza noted that Pakistan and the UK over the years have made great strides in deepening and broadening their multi-faceted relations.
Syed Qamar Raza said that the number of Pakistani voting for the Conservatives increased from 15 to 25 percent in the general elections held this year. “We are doing our best to showcase the Conservative party to our communities, we have more in common with the Conservatives than any other community and in return the Conservatives do things which suit us.”
Pakistan’s High Commissioner to the UK Syed Ibne Abbas said that Pakistanis were very active in the political life of Britain and their contribution was well appreciated. He called on Pakistanis to join mainstream parties and increase their say in the national affairs of the UK.
Celebrity entrepreneur James Caan castigated the mainstream media for looking at Pakistan through the prism of terrorism and without noting the country’s long links with the UK in the fields of arts, culture, education and sports. He stressed upon the community to join hands together and put up a united front against extremism. Appreciating the contributions of the UK-based Pakistan business community, Caan said the trade ties between the two countries was a testimony to this growing relationship.