ISLAMABAD: British High Commissioner-designate Jane Marriott OBE arrived in Islamabad to assume her new posting at the British High Commission.
Jane’s arrival comes at a crucial time for UK-Pakistan relations, marked by a significant increase in UK aid spending in Pakistan, aimed at enhancing climate resilience and reducing humanitarian risks.
Last month, the UK launched the new Developing Countries Trading Scheme, which will facilitate Pakistan in boosting exports by reducing tariffs and simplifying trade terms.
Jane stated, “I am delighted to be here in Pakistan, a country that deeply matters to, and has a long-standing relationship with the UK. With over 1.6 million people of Pakistani heritage in the UK, making up every part of British society, we have a special and ever-growing bond.”
The high commissioner emphasized the shared history, values, deep people-to-people ties, growing trade links, and renewed development partnership between the two countries, adding that she would work diligently to further expand these connections.
Jane expressed a particular interest in ensuring that the bilateral relationship between the UK and Pakistan is green and sustainable, especially with the increasing threat of the climate emergency to health and livelihoods worldwide.
Having joined the UK government’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office in 2001, Jane has previously served as British high commissioner to Kenya and British ambassador to Yemen. Her extensive experience includes postings to the US, Iraq, Iran, and Afghanistan, as well as heading the UK’s Joint International Counter Terrorism Unit.
For her journey to Islamabad, she traveled from London Heathrow using British Airways, the only airline offering direct UK flights between the UK and Pakistan.
