Yesterday Pakistan Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar attended the international conference on Somalia in London hosted by British Prime MinisterDavid Cameron. Her presence was valuable and built on the good collaboration that Britain and Pakistan have enjoyed over the narrower question of Somali piracy. We’ve both suffered from these pirates. So our two navies have collaborated on tackling the problem. As long ago as February 2011 Pakistan’s Commodore Aleem and his staff … Read more »Doing something positive for Somalia
The cricket has been great!
Great cricket! Pakistan’s that is. Some of Pakistan’s media described Pakistan’s crushing win over England in the second Test in Dubai as a miracle. To a non-cricketer like me, it didn’t look like a miracle. It looked like a very professional demolition job by some fine spin bowlers. Of course I would have liked England to win. But on that performance Pakistan deserved the series. Pakistan surprising itself, finding self-confidence, … Read more »The cricket has been great!
Celebrating Connections
Variety is one of the things I love about my job. It comes from the huge range of issues, people and types of engagement that connect the UK to Pakistan. We have just launched a multi-month communications campaign to celebrate that variety. It is called Celebrating Connections and it is in the media, on our website and on our facebook and twitter pages. Among other areas we will be highlighting … Read more »Celebrating Connections
“I think I have the best job in the British High Commission.”
Guest blogger, Susan Hyland, joins Adam Thomson’s blog to share a few impressions from her first weeks as Political Counsellor at the British High Commission in Pakistan. Six weeks ago, one of my colleagues met me at the airport when I arrived in Islamabad for the first time. As I write this, I am again at Benazir Bhutto airport, waiting for another new colleague to arrive. As I sit … Read more »“I think I have the best job in the British High Commission.”
Picking a scholarship winner
Young Pakistanis never fail to inspire me. I have the privilege of a couple of weeks ago of helping to select one graduate to go on a scholarship to one of Britain’s leading Universities. How interesting and how tough it was! Nearly two hundred application forms had to be sifted, giving a wonderful glimpse into so many remarkable and remarkably talented young lives. Many of the applicants had achieved distinction … Read more »Picking a scholarship winner
The worst of Britain brings out the best of Britain
Over the four nights this week people across the world have seen images of riots, criminality and looting taking place in the UK. These images have been shocking and sickening for anyone like me who cares about the UK’s reputation. And no less shocking has been the loss of life this week of three young British citizens in the road traffic incident in Birmingham. Our deepest sympathies and sincere condolences … Read more »The worst of Britain brings out the best of Britain
Recognizing fallen martyrs
On Thursday, I visited the Police Lines headquarters in Islamabad. I was accompanying the UK Foreign Secretary, William Hague, who wanted to pay his respects to the fallen martyrs of the Pakistani police service and to publicly recognise their sacrifices in serving Pakistan and its citizens. Mr Hague laid a wreath at the police monument and met the families of policemen who have lost their lives as a result of … Read more »Recognizing fallen martyrs
Doing Business with Pakistan
The UK is a long standing partner and ally of Pakistan and both our nations have a lot to gain from improving trade between our two countries. In this video blog, Adam Thomson talks about attending the “Doing Business with Pakistan” conference in London in February 2011, and the benefits of strengthening UK-Pakistan trade and investment ties.
Commonwealth Women’s Day in Pakistan
Today is Commonwealth Day and it’s about women. The Commonwealth is an increasingly important family of nations who share a common history and have shared interests looking to the future. Last week, it was the 100th anniversary of International Women’s Day. So this year Commonwealth Day is rightly celebrating the role of women as agents of change in society. Pakistan knows more than most countries about the role of women as … Read more »Commonwealth Women’s Day in Pakistan
Remembering Shahbaz Bhatti
This was another sad week for Pakistan. On Wednesday morning, I was telling journalists about a doubling of the UK’s aid to Pakistan, when I was horrified to hear that Minorities Minister Shahbaz Bhatti had been shot and killed in broad daylight in Islamabad. As I said that day, his death is a loss to Pakistan and a deep wound inflicted on Pakistani society. On behalf of the British Government … Read more »Remembering Shahbaz Bhatti