Tag: Christian Turner

  • British High Commissioner, Christian Turner, to leave Pakistan

    British High Commissioner, Christian Turner, to leave Pakistan

    British High Commissioner to Pakistan, Christian Turner, has been appointed as the Director General Geopolitical (Political Director) at the UK’s Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).

    He was appointed to the position of British High Commissioner in December 2019. He will take up a senior diplomatic position in mid January next year. This follows the end of a standard three year diplomatic posting tenure.

    During his three year tenure, Turner has enjoyed widespread popularity on social media for adopting Pakistani culture. A recent video in which Turner spoke in Urdu and Pothwari language ahead of the first Test between Pakistan and England went viral, with social media users appreciating his efforts to learn local languages.

    No announcement has been made regarding the appointment of a new High Commissioner to Pakistan. The 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.

  • ‘Mujhe afsos hai, England’s tour not cancelled over security’: British High Commissioner

    ‘Mujhe afsos hai, England’s tour not cancelled over security’: British High Commissioner

    British High Commissioner to Pakistan Christian Turner on Tuesday termed Pakistan as a safe country, saying that the England cricket team’s tour was not cancelled over security concerns.

    Speaking on ARY News programme, ‘Off The Record’, with Kashif Abbasi, the British High Commissioner dispelled an impression that the tour of the England team was cancelled over security concerns.

    Turner assured that the England team would tour Pakistan next year as they only had three matches scheduled for the now-cancelled tour in 2021. “Our players had been playing PSL and other leagues in Pakistan,” he said while once again reiterating that security was not the reason behind the cancellation of the tour.

    While appreciating Pakistan cricket team’s recent tour to England, he lauded the national team’s players for being a true and passionate ambassador of the game of cricket.

    Earlier, Turner also took to Twitter and released a video in which he expressed his sadness, saying that he is upset that the English board, “which is independent of the British government”, called off men and women’s tour of Pakistan in October.

    “The British High Commission supported the tour, did not advise against it on security grounds; and our travel advice for Pakistan has not changed,” he said.

    While talking to Muneeb Farooq, on Geo News‘ programme ‘Capital Talk’, the British High Commissioner said that from day one of his appointment, he is working for building the image of Pakistan and he has also changed the travel advisory for the country.

    “Not only with PCB, but I am also working with the ECB [England and Wales Cricket Board] for this day,” he added.

    He also said that this is not the story of people taking Pakistan down or any security issue, it is about the ECB and the players taking decision, and we must all work hard to change those perceptions and return to that day when cricket will return to Pakistan.

  • Wasim Akram ’embarrassed’ as British High Commissioner picks trash in Islamabad

    Wasim Akram ’embarrassed’ as British High Commissioner picks trash in Islamabad

    Wasim Akram has expressed his embarrassment and disgust after the British High Commissioner Dr Christian Turner shared pictures of himself picking trash in Islamabad.

    “Now this is really embarrassing. Where are we heading?,” questioned Akram, who has been actively cleaning the beach in Karachi over the past couple of years.

    The former captain of the Pakistan Cricket Team also thanked Dr Turner “for doing this almost every week.”

    “Safai Nisf Imaan [Hai],” asserted Wasim.

    Earlier on Friday, Dr Turner shared a picture of himself holding two bags of trash he collected after his morning walk on the Margalla Hills in Islamabad.

    “Another Friday morning walk, another two bags of litter,” said Turner. “Safaai nisf imaan hai (cleanliness is half of faith).”

    Dr Turner also tagged the Deputy Commissioner of Islamabad Hamza Shafqaat, who praised him, saying “Great”.

    However, the DC’s comments did not sit well with netizens who called him out for being negligent towards his work.

    Shafqaat later clarified his comment, saying that his intention was misunderstood.

    “This comment is grossly misunderstood. I was just appreciating the efforts of Dr Christian to keep Islamabad clean,” said Hamza, adding: “I would request everyone to not litter in forests. It is everyone’s responsiblity to keep their surroundings clean.”

    He later also said that sanitation teams picked up 1600 tonnes of waste today (Friday).

    “Everyone please remember that cleanliness is a two-way street and everyone of us is responsible for it and not just the British High Commissioner,” urged Shafqaat.

    Meanwhile, last week, Dr Turner had urged the residents of the federal capital to keep Islamabad clean by avoiding littering at open and green places.

    “Meals are for sharing not littering,” Dr Turner had said, sharing a picture of two plastic bags stuffed with empty water bottles, tin cans and other waste material.

    “Please help keep beautiful Islamabad clean,” he had said.

  • Virgin Atlantic airline to launch direct flights between UK and Pakistan

    Virgin Atlantic airline to launch direct flights between UK and Pakistan

    Virgin Atlantic airline is all set to operate flights between the UK and Pakistan from December this year. According to details, it will launch three new routes: London Heathrow to Lahore; London Heathrow to Islamabad; and Manchester to Islamabad. Flights will go on sale in September.

    In a statement, Virgin’s chief commercial officer Juha Jarvinen said: “Pakistan is an extremely exciting opportunity for us – it boasts one of the largest foreign-born populations in both the UK and the US and, as people start to travel to visit loved ones, we’re anticipating the demand  to visit friends and relatives will increase post-COVID-19.”

    “Both Lahore and Islamabad are popular year-round destinations and we look forward to welcoming travellers onboard as demand for leisure and business travel gradually increases to the region,” he added.

    The carrier said that the services would offer “seamless, speedy connections and a consistent long-haul onboard experience for customers travelling from destinations throughout North America, including New York JFK, Los Angeles, Washington, Boston and San Francisco via London Heathrow onwards to Pakistan”.

    “We also see a significant opportunity to increase competition in the US – Pakistan market. Using the strength of our transatlantic services we’re able to offer customers the shortest journey to and from destinations in the US such as New York, Los Angeles and Washington by connecting through London Heathrow”.

    Welcoming the announcement, British High Commissioner to Pakistan, Christian Turner in a tweet said, “Another sign of #UKPakDosti- Welcome to Pakistan Virgin Atlantic.”

    It is pertinent to mention here that British Airways is currently operating five flights a week between London and Islamabad. On Wednesday, it was reported that the airline is also seeking permission from Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) to start operating flights to Lahore, as a team of experts from the airline visited Allama Iqbal International Airport earlier this week to review arrangements made by the airport management.

  • ‘Pakistan bohat khoobsurat hai’: UK envoy reveals what he likes the most about Pakistan

    ‘Pakistan bohat khoobsurat hai’: UK envoy reveals what he likes the most about Pakistan

    British High Commissioner to Pakistan, Dr Christian Turner has shared that he is a huge fan of Karachi Biryani and Lahori food. He expressed his love for Pakistan’s foods and cities in Urdu that is quite impressive and interesting. 

    In an interview with Hamid Mir, Dr Turner said, “Well, I should say, first of all, Pakistan bohat khoobsurat hai, Meri Urdu kharab hai. Thodi jaanta hun.” 

    Turner agreed with the old saying “Lahore Lahore Hai (Lahore is Lahore)” and said that all he had done for three days in Lahore was eat. The representative revealed he was fond of Karachi’s biryani. He said it was “Bohat mazedaar (very delicious)”. 

    Watch the video here:

    Dr Turner has also documented, in detail, his experiences in Pakistan on his social media.