British envoy: Drew presents credentials to president

Says it is a huge privilege to be working in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: The new British High Commissioner Thomas Drew presented his credentials to President Mamnoon Hussain at the President House on Friday.

He arrived in February this year, succeeding Philip Barton.

“Pakistan matters to the UK and, I like to think, the UK matters to Pakistan for each other’s security, regional stability and each other’s prosperity.”

“Central to that are the 1.5 million British people of Pakistani origin who have made the UK their home,” Drew said after the ceremony.

He said it was a huge privilege to be working in Pakistan and to be leading one of Britain’s largest diplomatic missions.

“Nearly ten years ago, I moved to Pakistan for the first time to be the political counsellor in the British High Commission. I became a great friend of the country and its people. I feel a great sense of energy at coming back here,” he said.

“I am energised at seeing old friends, by the prospect of discovering more of the beautiful country and, most of all, by the prospect of doing work which is so important for both our countries,” he added.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 30^th, 2016.