LCCI Vice President Aftab A. Vohra, former LCCI presidents Mian Anjum Nisar and Mian Misbahur Rehman also addressed the meeting.
The UK visa director maintained that the United Kingdom is quite active in curtailing the rate of poverty in Pakistan and is extending a grant of 236 million pounds annually for poverty reduction, health and education. She said that the UK embassy would continue to facilitate the business community for the sake of economic growth of this country. She added that the LCCI recommendation is always given due consideration. She also made it clear that there is no change in the UK visa policy either it is business, student or tourist visa.
Ms Alex Pond also expressed sorrow over the devastation caused by October 8 earthquake. She informed the participants about details of relief goods donated by the United Kingdom.
Earlier, speaking on the occasion, the LCCI President, Mian Shafqat Ali, urged the UK Visa Director, Alex Pond, to adopt a more liberal visa policy for Pakistani businessmen, as the fast changing global scenario demands more and more trade between Pakistan and United Kingdom. He also made a number of proposals to expedite the visa process. He said that the new applicants with export potential should be issued visas in the least possible time. He suggested that serving or retired government servants, senior citizens and those who have already visited United Kingdom should be issued visas without interviews unless there is an evidence of breach of law against such persons.