17th February 2014 Islamabad, Pakistan
My first impressions of Pakistan
Let me start by saying that I am honoured and proud to have been appointed as the British High Commissioner to Pakistan. I believe I have got one of the best jobs in the British Diplomatic Service. The country is also close to my heart. I have some very old connections with Pakistan. My grandfather was in the Punjab Rifles in Rawalpindi, Quetta and Karachi in the 1920s and 1930s and my mother lived here during that time. I visited Pakistan for the first time back in 1994. I still remember driving myself to Peshawar and buying a famous Peshawari carpet from the Qissa Khowoni Bazar. The country has changed a lot since then. But returning to Pakistan still feels like coming back home.
It is a country full of colours and vibrant culture, with superb food, handicrafts, music and especially the language. I very much enjoyed my time learning some Urdu back in London. Apart from some tongue twisters, I’m glad that I can now understand why my mother always told me, ‘Chup Ki Jiye,’ when I was a child. I’ve got a lot more to learn, laikin mein mazeed seekhne ki puri koshish ker raha hun. I hope to do so by getting out of Islamabad, getting around all corners of Pakistan, meeting people and exploring the culture and places beyond the big cities.
It is my fourth week in Pakistan. I have already been to two key cities of Pakistan – Karachi and Lahore. In Karachi, I visited the Dolmen Mall and saw the prominence of British High Street stores, like Next and Mothercare. I was impressed by the number of British brands in Karachi and hope to see them expanding throughout Pakistan. Over 100 British companies are already operating in Pakistan and the UK is the second largest foreign investor here.
In Lahore, I particularly enjoyed visiting the remarkable Badshahi Mosque. I can see why Lahoris call it the ‘Jewel of Lahore.’ I met the Grand Imam of the Mosque and representatives of different religions including Christian, Sikh and Hindu leaders. I was impressed by their commitment of promoting interfaith harmony in Pakistan. I last visited Lahore five years ago – it is great to see how the city has developed since 2009.
One thing I’m particularly struck by in Pakistan is the expansion of its media. It has become more vibrant and is increasingly giving voices to people from all sections of society. The proliferation of independent, privately-owned broadcast media outlets was a crucial part of Pakistan’s successful democratic transition in May last year. Some 50 million people in Pakistan went to the ballot box that day. In doing so, they made an important statement about the future they want for their country, a future based on accountable and democratic government. As Prime Minister David Cameron said, Pakistan’s democratic transition has been a golden moment and the beginning of a ‘naya aghaz’ for the longstanding partnership between Pakistan and the UK. I am delighted to have arrived in Pakistan at this momentous time.
پھر ملیں گیں
فیلپ
Dear Sir,
Just read your blog…. Its very impressive. I am not in Pakistan at that moment but after reading your blog I am missing my country.
Sir, I would like to suggest you please also visit Murree. Its a beautiful place & my native town as well.
Wish you good luck & best wishes throughout your tenure in my country.
Humera Inam
Assistant Private Secretary to Education Attache
Consulate of Pakistan,
Birmingham
Hi Philip.I am very glade to see you feeling comfortable by coming back to Pakistan.Good to hear a positive feedback about my home country.Hope you enjoy your stay in pakistan And I am sure you will get alot of people to welcome and support you.you have a nice time and take care.
Kind regards
A Ali
Dear Philip,
Welcome to Pakistan. I am glad that you having a good time. Being Pakistani British I must say I truly enjoyed my time while in the UK for past 20 years. I visit UK regularly as I am in love with both Pakistan and UK. I defend both countries values while at work or with my friends & family. I am thankful to Allah Subhanahu wa ta’la for giving me a chance to enjoy countries rich culture, food, weather and work.
Best of Luck.
Respectable Mr. Philip i am glad to read about Your First Impression About Pakistan. let me introduce you my self, its A. SALAM here, got my preschool and higher education from UK in business studies, also my sister completed her law degree from UK, apart from that my grand father both maternal and paternal worked in British army. have lot of friends and family down in Great Britain. it will be honor for me to see you? with due respect i want to request you to spare some time so i can have a friendly chat with you. Want to play my part to built strong ties between Pakistan and UK through business. looking forward to hear from your side. Contact me through email ammar_chaudry@hotmail.com
Hello Philip,
As a citizen of Pakistan, I would like to extend a warm welcome to you. Thank you so much for sharing your fondness for Pakistan so eloquently.
PS You have picked up on Urdu really well; a bit of an effort and you would be a fluent user 🙂
Kind Regards,
Usman Mujtaba.
A very positive and true picture portrayed.
However, with Spring approaching, you will be equally impressed by the beautiful and captivating land scapes of northern region of Pakistan.
His Excellency Mr. Philip Barton
Thanks you shearing.Great job You Meeting Different Religions Leaders Muslim ,Christian,Sikh and Hindu.We are One Family of Earth….We Want Peace on Earth.
God Bless you.
Regards
Allama Muhammad Ahsan Siddiqui
Ambassador Peace & Interfaith Harmony
Founding Chief Executive
Interfaith Commission For Peace & Harmony
The article really touched me. Thank you for appreciating all positive side of Pakistan. I wish you good luck and best wishes.
Good to know all this..!!
Sir, it was to great to read your experience in pak. Hope you also visit the other cities of sindh, in next phase. we would be happy to welcome you in tharparkar, too.
Dear Philip Barton, Nice to hear from you. Believe me Pakistan is very beautiful country. It has all Paradises on earth. Old culture / Heritage / Civilisation, Biggest Irrigation system in World, Crops, Rice, Wheat, Sugarcane, Cotton , Mangoes, Apples, Dates etc, etc. You will be very pleased with all these blessings of Almighty ALLAH swt.
Regards Engr Gulzar Ahmed Memon
Karachi 0301-8239472.