ISLAMABAD: Pakistan High Commissioner to the United Kingdom Syed Ibne Abbas has said that Pakistan’s economy is undergoing sustained growth and invited Scottish companies to invest in the country.

The high commissioner urged the Scottish companies to take advantage of the liberal investment policies being pursued by the Pakistani government. He informed the Scottish leadership about plans to convene a Pakistan-UK business forum in Scotland in summer this year.

He said this while on an official visit to Scotland where he met Scottish National Party (SNP) leader Alex Salmond, Minister for Europe and International Development Humza Yousaf, Member of Parliament (MP) Tasmina Sheikh and Members of Scottish Parliament (MSPs) Hanzala Malik, Johann Lamont, Anne McTaggart, Michael McMahon, Jim Eadie and Mary Fee. A wide range of bilateral issues were discussed during the meeting.

The high commissioner briefed a delegation of 10 MSPs, who are part of the Cross Party Group on Middle East, on issues of mutual interest and possible cooperation. He apprised them about the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor project and the prospects it offered to Pakistan and the region’s economy.

He also informed the MSPs about the economic turnaround in Pakistan brought about by the government’s policies. He also briefed the Scottish leadership about the National Action Plan and the improved security situation in the country on account of the success of Operation Zarb-i-Azb.

Leaders of both the countries agreed to renew the people-to-people contacts between the Lahore-Glasgow Twin Cities.

Published in Dawn, January 17th, 2016