Dr. Mohammad Faisal Pays Tribute to Armed Forces and Urges British-Pakistani Youth to Stay Connected to Their Roots

London, (Shahzad Ali) __ The High Commissioner of Pakistan to the United Kingdom, Dr. Mohammad Faisal, and his spouse, Dr. Sarah Naeem, attended a vibrant community event in Cardiff. The event, organised by the Pakistani Welsh Community and the United Pashtun Society, marked a strong show of solidarity with Pakistan’s Armed Forces and the entire Pakistani nation. It also celebrated the recent success in Maraka-e-Haq.

The gathering attracted significant attendees, including Syed Qamar Raza, chairman of the Overseas Pakistanis Foundation (OPF), community leaders, entrepreneurs, professionals, and members of the broader Pakistani diaspora in Wales.

In his keynote address, the High Commissioner stated that the strength of our nation lies in unity. He said that every Pakistani, especially overseas Pakistanis, are proud of the patriotism, professionalism, and bravery of our Armed Forces, which defeated an enemy larger in size and resources.

Referring to Operation Bunyanum Marsoos, Dr. Mohammad Faisal said that the nation fought on all fronts and successfully triumphed. The Armed Forces on the battlefield, the diplomatic corps on the international front, and the media, by negating the enemy’s propaganda, made the world realize that Pakistan stood for peace but knew well how to respond if challenged.

Addressing the British-Pakistani community, the High Commissioner emphasized the importance of engaging youth. He encouraged the younger generation to stay connected to their cultural identity and heritage, particularly highlighting the achievements of British-Pakistani women and calling for greater visibility and recognition of their contributions.

Dr. Faisal also reassured the community regarding consular services and travel facilitation. He announced that Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flights to Manchester will resume on August 16, with plans in progress to expand operations to other UK cities. He added that the High Commission is in discussions with private Pakistani airlines to begin operations in the United Kingdom.

Community leaders warmly welcomed the High Commissioner and his team, expressing appreciation for their visit. They shared proposals to strengthen people-to-people links between Wales and Pakistan, especially in the fields of healthcare, education, and agricultural innovation.

Among the speakers were Councillor Waheeda Abdul Sattar, Saeeda Choudry, Raj Wali Khan Khattak (former Mayor of Aylesbury), Saleem Kidwai (former Secretary of the Muslim Council of Wales), Councillor Asghar Shah, Syed Liaqat Shah, Riaz Hussain, Tanvir Nawaz, Safdar Bacha, and Fazal Malik of the United Pashtun Society.

The event concluded with a renewed commitment from the diaspora to continue supporting Pakistan’s progress and to promote unity and cooperation both locally and nationally.