ISLAMABAD: British High Commissioner to Pakistan Dr Christian Turner has been transferred and posted in a senior diplomatic position in London, ARY News reported on Monday.
According to details, the development was announced by British Foreign Secretary, James Cleverly, in a statement issued on UK government s website.
In the statement, British Foreign Secretary announced the appointment of Dr Christian Turner as Director General Geopolitical (Political Director) at the UK s Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). “This is a position equivalent to Under Secretary of State,” it added.
“Currently serving as the British High Commissioner to Pakistan – a position he has held since December 2019 – Christian Turner is expected to depart the country and take up his new role in London by mid-January 2023,” the statement maintained. This follows the end of a standard three-year diplomatic posting.
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Christian Turner, in a statement, said: “The last three years have been some of the most rewarding of my life, both professionally and personally. I will continue closely to follow Pakistan s future in my new role in London”.
However, no announcement was made regarding the appointment of a new High Commissioner to Pakistan. Meanwhile, Deputy High Commissioner, Andrew Dalgleish, will take on the role of chargé d affaires to cover an expected interim gap until a new High Commissioner arrives.
The statement recalled the services of the UK envoy to Pakistan during the past three years. “He oversaw the UK s COVID-19 repatriation efforts, initiated a drive to double UK-Pakistan trade by 2025, ensured that the UK was at the forefront of the international Pakistan flood crisis response and played a pivotal role in the promotion of sports diplomacy,” it added.
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