Christian Turner bids farewell to Pakistan

Staff Writer

Islamabad: Christian Turner, who served in Pakistan as the British High Commissioner, bid farewell to the country this week after his three-year diplomatic posting tenure ended.

In a tweet, the envoy said “it was a pleasure knowing you,” adding that “we will meet again”.

He also posted a video on his official Twitter handle, wherein he can be seen packing his belongings that include traditional Pakistani attire and food, as well as a cricket bat.

Last month, Turner announced that he will leave Islamabad in January and assume a senior diplomatic position in London as the director general geopolitical (Political Director) at the UK’s Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). “Pakistan, I will miss you,” he had said in a tweet.

He appreciated the hard work of the team at the British High Commission in Pakistan, saying that he relied on them for all that he has done in the country.

Minister for Climate Change Senator Sherry Rehman thanked Turner for his “active leadership on Pak-UK ties” and his “stellar public diplomacy in our climate crisis”.

The British commissioner highlighted the strong and important relationship between Pakistan and the UK.

“Islamabad will miss you,” said Rehman and hoped to stay in touch. When saying goodbye, the two reiterated that “we will meet again”.

Turner had served as the British high commissioner to Pakistan since December 2019.

According to the UK Commission in Pakistan, over his three years, Turner oversaw the UK’s COVID-19 repatriation efforts, welcomed a UK foreign secretary visit, lobbied for and secured direct flights from the UK to Pakistan, and initiated efforts to double bilateral trade by 2025.