31st March 2016
After recent days, we can now add Brussels, Lahore and Istanbul to the growing litany of places directly affected by extemist violence. This was committed apparently in the name of religion, against targets variously identified by the perpetrators as Christians, Israeli tourists, and ordinary “secular” citizens, going about their normal lives. The words “religious” and […]
26th August 2015 Islamabad, Pakistan
Last night, I hosted the lion’s share of the 73 Chevening Scholars heading from Pakistan to the UK this autumn to study Masters Degrees at some of the UK’s top universities. I took the opportunity to say a few words: Thank you for joining me here at the British High Commission. I am delighted to […]
17th February 2014 Islamabad, 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 […]
25th September 2012 London, UK
Brand new bed linen from one of the department stores for which London’s Oxford Street is famous. Unwrapping the layers of packaging I noticed the label: made in Pakistan. I wondered if it had come from the factory whose owner I had met in Lahore, where we discussed everything from electricity shortages, to labour law […]
Read more on Made in Pakistan: exporting the right image | Reply (4)
30th May 2012 Islamabad, Pakistan
It is 6.30 am Saturday morning in Lahore, the room service waiter points at the TV news and says “that’s you”. I agree that it is, as footage plays of a meeting I had the day before with Nawaz Sharif, PML-N political leader and twice former Prime Minister of Pakistan, and, Shabaz Sharif, his brother […]
Read more on Lahore: Vibrant, changing and modern | Reply (2)
29th March 2011 Islamabad, 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 […]