A UK in Pakistan; photography exhibition was launched in Hyderabad on 26th Sept by the Acting British Deputy High Commissioner in Karachi, Steve Crossman, and the British Council Director for Sindh and Balochistan Christopher Hunt.

The exhibition, entitled ‘Shared History; Shared Future’ showcases 70 years of UK-Pakistan relations and will be open to the general public from 26 to 28 September at the Benazir Bhutto Art Gallery, Institute of Art and Design, University of Sindh Jamshoro. The same exhibition has already opened at the British Parliament in London, and is touring across nearly 20 major cities in Pakistan and the UK.

Speaker of the Sindh Provincial Assembly Agha Siraj Durrani and the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Sindh Jamshoro Professor Dr Fateh Muhammad Burfat, also joined the Acting British Deputy High Commissioner and British Council Director Sindh and Balochistan at the event along with officials from the British Deputy High Commission in Karachi, guests from the university and local businessmen in Hyderabad.

The Acting British Deputy High Commissioner in Karachi, Mr Steve Crossman, said:

2017 is a historic year as we celebrate 70 years of friendship between the UK and Pakistan, and we are delighted to bring our photography exhibition to Hyderabad. The photographs that are displayed in this exhibition showcase our cooperation in trade, sports, politics, development, defence, education, infrastructure and culture over the last 70 years and we look towards deepening our friendship over the next 70 years.

Education plays an important part in our friendship as we look to progress together. Pakistan is the recipient of the biggest DFID education programme anywhere in the world. Many Sindhi scholars win Chevening scholarships to study in the UK. These scholarships serve to deepen the warmth and understanding between our two countries, whilst attracting the brightest and the best to study in the UK. The scheme is seeking 2018/19 applicants now. And next month we will be launching our GREAT debate competition for students nationwide. We encourage you to participate!

The British Council Director Sindh and Balochistan, Mr Christopher Hunt, said:

In 1947 the British Council first started its work in Karachi and we have been working in Pakistan ever since. Today, we work in all of the provinces of Pakistan and engage with millions of Pakistanis every year.

In Sindh over the past two years we have helped nearly 45,000 boys and girls enrol and stay in school and we have supported tens of thousands of students in Sindh gain internationally recognised qualifications and work towards a promising future. British Council Pakistan will continue to create opportunities for the people of our countries; helping people in Pakistan benefit from the UK’s skills and experience whilst supporting people in Pakistan share their expertise with the UK”.

The British High Commission’s ‘Shared History Shared Future.’ photography exhibition is currently touring the UK and will continue to be exhibited in other cities in Pakistan.

Throughout the year, the British High Commission, in collaboration with the Pakistan High Commission in London, is organising several events and activities to mark 70 years of UK and Pakistan’s relations. Details of these events are regularly featured on the British High Commission’s social media pages.

Contact

More Information

For updates on the British High Commission’s 70th Anniversary of UK – Pakistan relations:

About the British Council:

The British Council is the UK’s international organisation for educational opportunities and cultural relations. We create international opportunities for the people of the UK and other countries and build trust between them worldwide. We value diversity and difference. We work in over 100 countries in the areas of arts, education and English. We have been working in Pakistan since 1947. British Council website

The Minister will meet President Sargsyan, Prime Minister Karapetyan, Speaker of the National Assembly Parliament Babloyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs Nalbandian and other senior officials. Sir Alan will hear firsthand about Armenia’s political and economic reform programme and will reiterate UK support for the ambitious reforms to enhance the resilience and prosperity of the country.

The UK has been supporting the government’s reform programme, including helping the National Assembly prepare for its greater oversight powers, supporting the Ministry of Justice implement an anti-corruption strategy and working with the Ministry of Defence to embed European Human Rights standards in the Armenian armed forces.

In a speech to the National Assembly of Armenia, the Minister will champion the important role of parliament in a democracy, and in turn the role of parliamentarians in representing the people who elect them.

Ahead of his visit, the Minister of Europe and the Americas, Sir Alan Duncan, said:

My first visit to Armenia is an opportunity for me to celebrate the UK’s support to Armenia in its consolidation as a democratic, resilient and prosperous country. Over the 25 years since we established diplomatic relations, co-operation has flourished across a range of spheres – including political, commercial, educational and cultural.

We believe there are further opportunities to deepen our co-operation. I look forward to meeting President Sargsyan, Prime Minister Karapetyan, Foreign Minister Nalbandian and other high level officials in Armenia. I will outline the UK’s readiness to support Armenia’s efforts to embed democracy, good governance and human rights and explore ways to boost trade between our 2 countries.

Following his visit, the Minister gave an update on how the UK is supporting Armenia’s constitutional progress:

Sir Alan Duncan’s visit

Further information

Summary

At 10:02 hrs on 22 December 2016, a pedestrian, who had just got off an inbound tram at Woodbourn Road tram stop, was struck and fatally injured by an outbound tram travelling from Sheffield city centre towards Meadowhall. The pedestrian was using the crossing at the northern end of the tram stop at the time. The crossing, which runs over both tracks, provides a pathway between the inbound platform and Woodbourn Road. No one was waiting at the outbound platform and no one on board the outbound tram had requested that it stop, so it was travelling non-stop through the platform at around 13 mph (21 km/h).

The tram driver did not see the pedestrian approaching the crossing. Until shortly before the collision, the tram driver’s attention was focused on looking in the tram’s mirrors and not on looking ahead. Consequently, the driver did not see the pedestrian in time to take action to prevent the accident. Other possible factors that might have contributed to the accident were that the driver was wearing sunglasses, which might have reduced the visibility of the pedestrian who was in a shaded area, and the driver’s concentration level might have been reduced by that stage of the journey. The pedestrian was seemingly unaware that the tram was approaching the crossing and the tram did not give an audible warning to indicate that it was passing non-stop through the tram stop. An underlying cause was that Stagecoach Supertram had not assessed the risk of trams in service running non-stop through tram stops when it first introduced the system of request stops around 1999. The RAIB also found inconsistencies between the training and assessments for new tram drivers when making non-stop movements through tram stops and the operational standards that drivers are required to follow for such movements.

Since the accident, Stagecoach Supertram has reported it has taken action to mandate audible warnings for all non-stop movements through tram stops and to reduce driver distraction due to looking in mirrors. It has also updated its risk assessment to include trams in service running non-stop through tram stops and implemented measures to reduce the risk of collisions with pedestrians. These reported actions address factors which otherwise would have resulted in RAIB recommendations.

Recommendations

The RAIB has made two recommendations. One recommendation is addressed to Stagecoach Supertram and relates to the continuance of its work to review its training material against its operational standards so that they are made consistent. The second recommendation is addressed to UK tram operators, in conjunction with UK Tram Limited, and relates to setting up an industry working group to monitor the development and application of new pedestrian detection technology to alert drivers to potential collisions with pedestrians.

The RAIB has also identified three learning points. The first highlights the importance of tram operators actively assessing and managing the additional risk to users of foot crossings associated with trams making non-stop movements through tram stops. The second reminds tram drivers to only use driving mirrors for essential tasks related to the safe operation of the tram during non-stop movements through tram stops. The third is for tram drivers about understanding how sunglasses can affect their vision when passing from sunlit to shaded areas, particularly during the winter months when the sun is low.

Notes to editors

1. The sole purpose of RAIB investigations is to prevent future accidents and incidents and improve railway safety. RAIB does not establish blame, liability or carry out prosecutions.
2. RAIB operates, as far as possible, in an open and transparent manner. While our investigations are completely independent of the railway industry, we do maintain close liaison with railway companies and if we discover matters that may affect the safety of the railway, we make sure that information about them is circulated to the right people as soon as possible, and certainly long before publication of our final report.
3. For media enquiries, please call 01932 440015.

Newsdate: 27 September 2017

For updates on the British High Commission’s 70th Anniversary of UK – Pakistan relations and for more information on the Chevening Programme, please follow our social media channels:

Criminals who illegally dump thousands of tonnes of baled waste have cost land and property owners in the North East an estimated £750,000 in the last year, according to the Environment Agency.

The figure, which relates to the cost of removing waste dumped in fields and empty commercial properties lawfully, could be even higher if land is contaminated or insurance premiums rise as a result. Dumped waste is also a major fire risk.

In a bid to stop waste criminals in their tracks, the Environment Agency is reaching out to property and land owners, commercial property agents, trade associations and local authorities. Their aim is to warn of the dangers posed by waste criminals and advise them, their clients and their members how they can better protect themselves.

Jamie Fletcher, Area Environment Manager, from the Environment Agency said:

Waste criminals operate throughout the country, offering to remove waste cheaply and then dumping it in fields or empty warehouses. They tend to move to new areas as enforcement agencies become wise to their activities. We know it’s only a matter of time before they target us again so we’re sending out a strong message: Waste criminals are not welcome here and we’re doing everything in our power to deter and catch them.

We can’t do it alone. We work closely with partners to share intelligence on illegal waste activity. And we’re encouraging everyone to do their bit: for property and land owners to be vigilant and better protect themselves and for all businesses, organisations and individuals to manage their waste responsibly, preventing it from getting into criminal hands in the first place.

Land and property owners are advised to:

• Check any empty land and property regularly and make sure it is secure.
• Carry out rigorous checks on prospective and new tenants. Land and property owners have a responsibility to ensure anyone leasing their land/property complies with regulations. They may be committing an offence by allowing waste to be stored on land or property without the relevant permissions and could leave them liable to prosecution
• Be vigilant and report any unusual behaviour.

Advice for businesses

There are around 4,000 commercial properties across the North East thought to be empty, which are owned by up to 1,500 businesses and organisations, including fund management companies and local authorities.

The Environment Agency is also advising businesses and organisations of their responsibility to ensure their waste is managed appropriately. Anyone who produces, stores and manages waste is obligated to ensure waste does not cause harm to human health or pollution to the environment under waste under Duty of Care legislation.

Waste crime diverts as much as £1 billion per annum from legitimate business and the treasury. Since April 2011 the Environment Agency has invested £65.2 million nationally to address it. Its specialist crime unit uses intelligence to track and prosecute organised crime gangs involved in illegal waste activity and to ensure any necessary action is taken against them.

The Environment Agency also works with partners to share intelligence on illegal waste activity and to put in place contingency plans to reduce the risk from a small number of abandoned sites at risk of fire.