British High Commissioner (HC) designate to Pakistan Dr Christian Turner assumed the charge of his duties on Monday. He was given a warm welcome on his arrival by the staff of the British missions working across the Pakistan.
New HC Dr Turner in his first twitter message on his arrival in Islamabad says a mixture of excitement & anticipation getting to know Pakistan. He replaces Thomas Drew who had arrived in London and would be transferring to another diplomatic service appointment.
Dr Christian had the distinction of completing his PhD at the age of 24 years. According to Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), HC Turner was the British Prime Minister’s International Affairs Adviser and Deputy National Security Adviser from April 2017 to July 2019. He previously served as the Director General, Political (Acting) and Director General for the Middle East and Africa, leading the UK organisation of the London Syria Conference in February 2016. From 2012 to 2015 he was British High Commissioner to Kenya and from 2009 to 2012 he was FCO’s Director for the Middle East and North Africa.
Between 1997 and 2008 he held various positions in the Foreign Office, the Cabinet Office and 10 Downing Street, including as Private Secretary to the Prime Minister, in the Prime Minister’s Strategy Unit, as Secretary to the Economic & Domestic Committees of Cabinet, and as First Secretary in the British Embassy in Washington from 2002-2006.
