Business in Reading - Indian and Pakistani Celebrations

Rob Wilson Joins Indian and Pakistani Celebrations in Reading
– Sees promise in Musharraf’s resignation –

Sixty-one years on from the partition of India and the creation of the sovereign states of India and Pakistan, Reading East MP, Rob Wilson, joined with celebrations across the Asian community in Reading to commemorate the event.

He spoke at India Independence Day celebrations at the Hindu Temple on Whitley Street on Friday, followed on Sunday by an event at the Rivermead Leisure Centre celebrating the creation of the Pakistani state. He was joined at Sunday’s event by Conservative Cllrs Wazir Hussain, Jamie Chowdhary and Azam Janjua, as well as Group leader Andrew Cumpsty.

The Partition of India, which led to the creation, on August 14, 1947 and August 15, 1947, respectively, of the sovereign states of the Dominion of Pakistan (later Islamic Republic of Pakistan and People's Republic of Bangladesh) and the Union of India (later Republic of India), was highly controversial at the time, the legacy of which still has relevance today – especially in the region of Kashmir.

Nevertheless, the freedom given to these two countries over 60 years ago provided them with an opportunity to form a new identity – modern India is becoming an increasingly important player on the international stage and hope for democratic reforms in Pakistan have been heightened by today’s announcement by Pervez Musharraf that he is standing down as President.

Rob actively engages with all groups from the Asian community in his constituency and was recently elected Chairman of the Conservative Friends of Pakistan, he is also Vice Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Pakistan, the APPG for Bangladesh, and a member of the Conservative Party Friends of India. In June, he met with Imran Khan, leader of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (Movement for Justice) Party and has recently held talks with the Pakistani High Commissioner.

Rob said, “Reading is ethnically diverse and I am pleased and proud of the contribution that both the Indian and Pakistani communities make to life in my Reading East constituency. Indian Independence Day and the celebration of the creation of the state of Pakistan are days to commemorate and important moments for people with strong ties to these countries.”

He added, “I am very pleased to have taken part in both events and am taking a close interest in how the situation in Pakistan develops. I had a great time joining in with the celebrations on Friday and Sunday and hope that Musharraf’s resignation in Pakistan is used as an opportunity by the Pakistani people to continue on the road to becoming a stable, prosperous, democratic, modern nation, based on the rule of law.”