British High Commissioner-designate Jane Marriott OBE arrived in Islamabad on Sunday to begin her new job at the British High Commission.
Jane’s arrival comes at a critical time in UK-Pakistan ties, with a considerable increase in UK assistance investment in Pakistan focused on increasing climate resilience and lowering humanitarian risks.
Last month, the UK also introduced the new Developing Countries Trading Scheme, which will help Pakistan increase exports by lowering tariffs and simplifying trading arrangements.
“I am delighted to be here in Pakistan, a country that means a great deal to me and has a long history with the United Kingdom. With over 1.6 million people of Pakistani heritage in the UK, we have a special and ever-growing special bond,” she said.
According to the high commissioner, “our friendship stems from our shared history and values, deep people-to-people ties, growing trade links, and a renewed development partnership. I will work hard to continue to expand these.”
“With the climate emergency posing a growing threat to health and livelihoods around the world,” she said, “I have a special interest in ensuring the bilateral relationship between our countries is green and sustainable.”
Jane began working for the UK government’s Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office in 2001. She formerly served as British High Commissioner to Kenya from September 2019 until June 2023, and as British Ambassador to Yemen.
She has also served in the United States, Iraq, Iran, and Afghanistan, as well as leading the United Kingdom’s Joint International Counter Terrorism Unit.
She flew from London Heathrow with British Airways, the only airline that operates direct flights between the United Kingdom and Pakistan.
