ISLAMABAD, Jan 7: Leading members of the British parliament will be attending an international conference on democracy in Pakistan to be held here on Friday.

The conference, entitled “Democracy in Pakistan: New Challenges and Opportunities,” is being arranged by TV anchor and Ambassador-at-Large Javed Malik.

The seminar will be opened by Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani and attended by British MPs, including James Devine, Mark Fisher, James McGovern and Chaudhry Mohammad Sarwar.

“The event is expected to further strengthen relations between people from two democracies,” Mr Malik told Dawn.

He said the event was part of a wide ranging public diplomacy efforts initiated by him since his appointment as Pakistan’s ambassador-at-large.The envoy said these efforts were directed at promoting a positive image of the country, and muster diplomatic support for Pakistan across the globe, particularly among the countries comprising of the ‘Friends of Pakistan’ group that was launched on the sidelines of the last UN General Assembly session.

“The efforts focus on highlighting a positive image of Pakistan, and foster people-to-people contacts.”

Additionally, Mr Malik said he had also launched the Pakistan International Forum which aimed to provide a platform to promote Pakistan’s interests globally, particularly through cultivating cultural, business and social contacts between people of Pakistan with people around the world.

He said the five members of British parliament taking part in the international conference to support a democratic Pakistan would also hold meetings with the leadership of the country as well as to interact with representatives of the public.

The delegation of Pakistan International Forum, comprising ‘Friends of Pakistan’ from British parliament, is also expected to call on President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, National Assembly Speaker Dr Fehmida Mirza, besides other leaders.

Mr Malik said he would also be hosting a reception for the ‘Friends of Pakistan’ from the British parliament in which leading members of civil society, media, as well as the business community would be invited to interact with the visiting delegation with a view of promoting cultural and business ties between Pakistan and Britain.