Pakistani High Commission - presentations and de-brief

5.36.37pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 7th Jun 2006

Following the trip to Pakistan I made in May to talk with young Pakistani's about relations between the so-called 'West' and the so-called 'Muslim World' I have now attended the Pakistani High Commission in London to give a presentation and de-brief.

Five of the seven of us that went were able to attend and give presentations. We decided in advance that we would focus on different issues Ellen (the other Liberal Democrat) and I concentrated on perceptions and the way forward.

There were about fifty people present, including the Pakistani High Commissioner, British politicians and civil servants from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), Pakistani television and other interested people. It turned out the Pakistani High Commission included it in their lecture series.

The presentations went down well and we had several questions from the floor, before we broke for more informal discussions. All of the participants are determined that this should not be the end and we are now in talks with the FCO as to the next steps and Ellen and I will be meeting with various interested Liberal Democrats to see what we can do as a party.