British high commissioner 'blown away by natural beauty' of northern Pakistan

UK will do more to help vulnerable communities in Pakistan deal with impact of climate change, says Christian Turner

British High Commissioner Christian Turner travelled to Chitral, Hunza and Gilgit this week in his first visit to picturesque northern Pakistan.

The visit was part of a joint effort with the Canadian High Commission and the Aga Khan Foundation.

“In my first visit to the North of Pakistan I was blown away by its natural beauty," he said in an official statement.

The potential for sustainable tourism and its communities are at risk from climate change, he add.

Aapka mehman nawazi ka shukriya cc @sayedzbukhari @PakistanJannatt @PakistanNature pic.twitter.com/0rEuFo6xLu

— Christian Turner (@CTurnerFCDO) October 10, 2020

"As part of our preparations for hosting the 2021 COP26 climate negotiations, the UK will do more to help vulnerable communities in Pakistan deal with the impact of climate change and protect these magnificent landscapes. Our world is our responsibility," Turner said.

During the visit, the British high commissioner stressed the potential for sustainable tourism in northern Pakistan to create jobs and support local communities. He also saw the impacts of climate change on local communities.

Pakistan is the fifth most vulnerable country to climate change and has more glacial ice than any country in the world outside the Polar Regions, since 2015, the number of lakes caused by melting glaciers in Pakistan has increased from 30 to 150.

He highlighted UK’s support for Pakistan’s drive to find nature-based solutions to climate change, in advance of the UK-hosted COP26 international climate negotiations in 2021.

The high commissioner visited UK funded climate-resilience activities in central Garam Chashma. UK plans to invest £13 million in Pakistan this year on tackling climate change.

"This will include supporting vulnerable communities adapt to climate change, improve resilience through emergency disaster planning and helping to increase the use of renewable energy," the statement added.

The visit also focused on girl’s education and support for gender equality. The UK is committed to ensuring every girl gets 12 years of quality education, and has supported nearly eight million girls in Pakistan to attend primary and secondary school.

Christian Turner visited Government Girls School in Hunza, the Chitral Women Sports Club and met inspiring women entrepreneurs who are leading the way on achieving Pakistan’s potential and delivering inclusive prosperity in their communities.

At Karakorum International University, the high commissioner awarded Scottish Pakistan Scholarships to students; and learned about their experience and future ambitions.

The Scotland Pakistan Scholarship for Young Women and Girls aims to make higher education more accessible to underprivileged girls across Pakistan.