British High Commissioner Jane Marriott reinforces UK’s commitment to supporting minority rights, socio-economic development

Celina Ali

Islamabad: British High Commissioner Jane Marriott visited Peshawar and Nowshera this week.

During her visit, she engaged in a series of meetings and events to reinforce the UK’s commitment to supporting interfaith harmony, minority rights, socio-economic development and regional stability, the British High Commission said on Friday.

The visit started with a tour of the historic Mahabat Khan Mosque, where she and Maulana Tayyab Qureshi emphasized the importance of respecting cultural heritage and fostering interfaith dialogue. She then met with officials from the United Nations Development Programme, and the government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, to discuss border governance and connectivity in the Newly Merged Districts.

After discussing security and the importance of timely elections with KP’s Caretaker Chief Minister Azam Khan, Jane Marriott, and the Caretaker Chief Minister, launched GoBiz, an online portal designed to improve government-business relations.

She also met with beneficiaries of the UK-funded Aawaz II and DafPak programmes in Nowshera, showcasing the UK’s support for addressing gender-based violence, minority rights issues, child marriages, and health services delivery in remote areas.

British High Commissioner Jane Marriott said: “This visit was not only about our shared commitment to fostering economic development, regional stability, and interfaith harmony but also about celebrating Pakistan’s past and its future. I was amazed by the beauty of the Mahabat Khan Mosque, a testament to Pakistan’s rich cultural heritage and I was inspired by the young people I met through Aawaz II. They are helping change their communities, and the whole of Pakistan for the better, they are the future. Additionally the launch of GoBiz marks a significant stride towards modernization and efficiency.”