KARACHI: British High Commissioner to Pakistan Jane Marriott on Wednesday spent a busy day in Karachi as she met political leaders and government officials and discussed with them matters of mutual interest, bilateral relations and their role to bring Pakistan out of recent challenges being.

The top British diplomat in Pakistan first drove to Bilawal House where she met with Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) women wing president Faryal Talpur and Aseefa Bhutto-Zardari.

Deputy High Commissioner Sarah Mooney and Deputy Political Counsellor Mark Bailey accompanied the British high commissioner.

A brief statement issued by the Bilawal House after the meeting said that Sindh Local Government Minister Saeed Ghani and Sindh Irrigation Minister Jam Khan Shoro were also present on the occasion.

“The meeting focused on discussing matters of mutual interest and enhancing bilateral relations,” it added.

Later, Ms Marriott visited the residence of senior Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) leader Nasrin Jalil to meet a delegation of the party.

The delegation comprising Syed Mustafa Kamal, Dr Farooq Sattar, Ms Jalil and Senator Faisal Subzwari discussed with the British diplomats economics challenges and threats posed by terrorist groups and their solutions, said a statement issued by the MQM-P after the meeting.

Mr Kamal said on the occasion that all political parties must work together to steer the country out of present crises. “Pakistan needs friends like the United Kingdom to ensure the protection of common interests like before,” he said.

“With 80 per cent mandate of Karachi, the MQM-P enjoys strong organisational presence in the business capital of the country and understands well its urban challenges,” the statement quoted Mr Kamal as telling the British high commissioner.

Referring to a draft constitutional amendment proposed by the MQM-P for a strong, effective and empowered local government system, he said that this proved his party’s commitment towards strengthening democracy in the country and bringing its benefits at the grassroots level

The MQM-P leaders, the statement said, were convinced that the challenges being faced by Pakistan ranging from security to economic demands political consensuses and unity among the parties on key issues.

Ms Marriott congratulated the MQM-P over its success in the Feb 8 general elections.

She vowed to stay in touch with the party as well as political leadership of the country for better coordination and strong bilateral relations, according to the MQM-P statement.

Meanwhile, the British diplomat also held a meeting with Sindh Energy Minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah.

She was briefed about the “vast and profitable opportunities for domestic and foreign players in the energy sector of the province”, said a statement issued by the energy department.

Published in Dawn, March 28th, 2024