Govt in touch with UK on safety of Pakistanis: FO

ISLAMABAD: Foreign Office on Thursday said there is close contact and constant interaction with Pakistan’s High Commission in London and its Consulate in Birmingham, to ensure security of Pakistanis living in United Kingdom following the riots in which three Pakistani origins British nationals were killed last night.
Foreign Office Spokesperson Ms. Tahmina Janjua in weekly press briefing said, “Pakistan’s High Commissioner to UK Wajid Shamsul Hasan is in close contact with Pakistani community living in United Kingdom especially in Birmingham regarding their safety and security”.
She said in the wake of ongoing riots in the Britain, Pakistan’s High Commissioner to UK has called upon the Pakistani origin community to immediately report to the police and the High Commission or the nearest consulate in case they face any incident of violence.
The spokesperson said three Pakistanis, who were killed in the riots the day before yesterday, were British nationals and providing them security is the responsibility of the British government.
She said Pakistan’s High Commission in London and its Consulates General in the UK are vigilant to the situation and would be ready to render any assistance to the Pakistani community.
The spokesperson said the Pakistanis have also been advised not to visit those areas which are declared sensitive by the British authorities and remained calm.
Three British Pakistanis were killed in Birmingham, reportedly when a speedy car overran them while they were guarding their properties against vandalism. Those who were killed in Birmingham are Mussawar, Shahzad and Haroon. Mussawar and Shahzad are brothers.
Pakistan’s Consul General in Birmingham visited the bereaved families and offered condolences and Pakistan High Commission in London is in constant touch with its Consul Generals in Birmingham, Bradford, Manchester and Glasgow and also community leaders.
Spokesperson said out of 1.5 million Pakistanis living in Britain, majority are British nationals therefore, their security and safety is the responsibility of the British government.
Replying to a question latest situation in Syria, the spokesperson said, “We are monitoring the situation.”
She said however it has been Pakistan’s stand there should be peace and stability in Syria without foreign interference.
Regarding any role being played by Turkey to ensure peace in Syria, she said, although Turkey has been playing positive role in the region but it is bilateral issue between Turkey and Syria.
On the issue of Pak-US relations and replying to the question of refusing visa to some of the American officials, the spokesperson said visa issue and movement of the American diplomats inside Pakistan are the issue being discussed between the two government.
She refereed to the statement of Foreign Minister Ms. Hina Rabbani Khar that there are no specific restrictions on any country for their movement inside Pakistan except relating to the security issues.
She said the foreign minister also stated that there are some operational difficulties which are being discussed between the two countries.
The spokesperson said Pakistan and China have been cooperating in different sectors including science and technology.
source: Dawn news.