Islamabad (GNP): British High Commission in Islamabad celebrated His Majesty King Charles III’s 78th birthday with an evening of fashion and design, showing how British and Pakistani creativity can help businesses grow in both countries.
The Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, was the chief guest. More than 600 guests attended, including Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, ministers, business leaders, designers and members of the creative community.
Guests saw fashion from British manufacturers, Pakistani retailers growing their businesses in the UK, and British-Pakistani designers. Bands played well-known British songs with a Pakistani twist. UK chef Tony Tobin worked with the High Commission’s Residence chef on the menu celebrating the best of British and Pakistani cuisine.
British High Commissioner to Pakistan, Jane Marriott CMG OBE, said:
“The British and Pakistani relationship turns great ideas into tangibles that change people’s lives. Together, British creativity and Pakistani enterprise are a powerhouse, and they can create jobs and growth in both our countries. The next chapter of our partnership is about creating, inventing and growing together.”
Prime Minister, Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, said:
“May Pakistan-UK friendship continue to flourish, and may the bonds between our peoples grow stronger with every passing generation.”
The UK and Pakistan already have strong links. About 1.7 million people of Pakistani heritage live in the UK, and clothing and textiles make up over 75 per cent of UK goods imported from Pakistan.
Creativity is also a major part of the UK economy: in 2024, its creative industries added £146 billion (nearly $200 billion USD) and employed 2.4 million people.
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We have an ‘Autumn of Growth’: two days before the King’s birthday, on 12 November, the West Yorkshire–Pakistan Summit in Bradford brought together about 100 business, government and university leaders to discuss textiles and food and drink. The UK–Pakistan Trade Dialogue in December, and other investment events planned in the coming weeks will continue this work.
Sohail Majeed is a Special Correspondent at The Diplomatic Insight. He has twelve plus years of experience in journalism & reporting. He covers International Affairs, Diplomacy, UN, Sports, Climate Change, Economy, Technology, and Health.
