21st June 2016 Islamabad, Pakistan
If you are living in the Northern hemisphere, and observing traditional fasting, then this year’s Ramazan is particularly difficult. The difference between the Islamic calendar and the Gregorian calendar means that every year it shifts nine or ten days, and for those fasting, this year it falls slap bang in the middle of the longest […]
8th December 2015 Islamabad, Pakistan
More than one third of all Forced Marriage cases reported to the Forced Marriage Unit in London are linked to Pakistan. This is four times more than any other country in the world. Last year, 82 cases of Forced Marriage were reported to my Consular Assistance team in Islamabad only. This year, we have offered […]
Read more on Forced Marriage – You have the right to choose | Reply (1)
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 […]
14th August 2015 Islamabad, Pakistan
The first week back from a holiday brings a fresh perspective and a new impetus to your work. While of course the day-to-day business of diplomacy goes on – as witnessed by the successful visit to Pakistan by the Secretary of State for Defence, Michael Fallon – it is a chance to step back and […]
15th June 2015 Islamabad, Pakistan
Guest blog by Senator Aitzaz Ahsan Senator Aitzaz Ahsan, of Grays’ Inn Barrister-at-Law, is a senior lawyer, a veteran politician, a human rights’ activist, a constitutional theorist, a former political prisoner and federal minister, a left-wing campaigner against military regimes and a member of the Pakistan Peoples’ Party who currently serves as the Leader of […]
28th February 2015 Islamabad, Pakistan
Fans of J.K. Rowling in Pakistan will remember that a Common Welsh Dragon featured in ‘Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire’, the fourth book of her immensely popular series. That dragon was green in colour, but the dragon on the flag flying at the British High Commission in Islamabad today is a vibrant red. […]
29th November 2014 Islamabad, Pakistan
For many here in Pakistan, Scotland needs no introduction, with its vibrant Pakistani communities and the links between Scotland and Pakistan in higher education and business.I was delighted that my first big event as the new British High Commissioner to Pakistan after I arrived in January was to host a Burns Night party. Haggis being […]
Read more on Celebrating St Andrew’s Day in Pakistan | Reply
27th November 2014 Islamabad, Pakistan
The 16 Days of Activism to Stop Violence Against Women, began from 25 November. According to a 2011 poll of experts by the Thomson Reuters Foundation, Pakistan is the third most dangerous country for women in the world. More than 1,000 women and girls are murdered in honour killings every year. 90 percent of Pakistani […]
23rd September 2014 Islamabad, Pakistan
Ayesha* is nine years old, Ali* is eight. They live at the SOS Village in Rawalpindi, Islamabad’s Twin (although, in reality, much bigger) neighbouring City. They are two of around 100 young boys and girls who, for whatever reason, have no one to look after them at home and who are now cared for by […]
Read more on Shaping the future: What matters to young Pakistanis | Reply
4th August 2014 Islamabad, Pakistan
This is my first blog for the High Commission and a quick look at the archives tells me that it’s the first time in a long time that a member of the Defence Team has rolled up his sleeves and ‘put fingers to keyboard’. So when Alison Blake, our Deputy High Commissioner, asked me to […]
Read more on WW1 Centenary – Pakistan’s Right to Commemorate | Reply (6)