Transforming Pakistan: How Britain can help Pakistan's future prosperity

Alan Duncan MP, Minister of State, Department of International Development (DFID)

Alan Duncan joined Parliament in 1992 as the Conservative Member for Rutland and Melton. Five years later, he was appointed Vice-Chairman of the Conservative Party and Parliamentary Political Secretary to the Rt. Hon. William Hague MP.

He has held a number of positions in the Shadow Cabinet, most recently as Shadow Secretary for Trade Industry and Energy (2005). In 2009, Alan Duncan was appointed Shadow Leader of the House and shortly after, he became Shadow Minister for Prisons and Probation.

Adam Thomson CMG, British High Commissioner to Pakistan

Adam Thomson was appointed High Commissioner in Pakistan in 2010. He joined the FCO in 1978 and worked in various capacities in British foreign missions including stints in New Delhi, Moscow, and Washington, as well as the United Nations where he was the British deputy permanent representative.

The discussion will be chaired by Sir John Boyd, Chairman of Asia House

The UK has had a long partnership with Pakistan, with strong cultural, business and diaspora connections. With the upcoming elections in place, Pakistan is about to enter a new chapter in its history. Yet some critical challenges remain to be addressed. 38 million people still live in poverty. 17 million children are out of school. And with the population set to grow by 68 million over the next 20 years, how can Pakistan's economy evolve to create jobs and foster long-term economic growth?

The UK government as well as a number of players in the British-Pakistan Diaspora community are already working in close partnership with Pakistan to improve the economy, support education initiatives and build a more prosperous future for the country. But what more can we in the UK do to support the Government and the people of Pakistan to achieve these common goals?

Join other members of the British Pakistani community at Asia House to hear from Alan Duncan, Minister of State and Adam Thomson, the British High Commissioner to Pakistan, visiting from Islamabad.