ISLAMABAD: Newly appointed British High Commissioner Jane Marriott will visit Karachi today (Sunday) ahead of the expected arrival of the Royal Navy’s HMS Lancaster.

HMS Lancaster is in Karachi on a routine bilateral Royal Navy-Pakistan Navy training exercise. These exercises are part of a range of ‘Defence Diplomacy’ activities, part of the UK’s commitment to maintaining its well-established defence relationship with Pakistan.

During her visit, Ms Marriott will be meeting with business, political and community leaders, with a focus on boosting UK-Pakistan trade links.

“Bilateral trade is currently worth over £4 billion, nearly doubling in 3 years,” the British High Commission said in a statement. “Karachi is one of the best places in Pakistan to discuss business, the country’s beating heart and home to some of the country’s most pioneering industries. I am looking forward to hearing from UK and Pakistani businesses on how we can support each other’s ambitious trade goals,” the statement quoted the high commissioner as saying.

“In a demonstration of the breadth of the UK-Pakistan relationship, I am also looking forward to welcoming HMS Lancaster for a bilateral exercise.”

Earlier this year, Pakistan welcomed the British Army’s Chief of the General Staff, General Sir Patrick Sanders, to strengthen senior relationships. Every year, British army officers attend Quetta Staff College, whilst Pakistani officers attend the UK’s military academies to improve mutual understanding.

HMS Lancaster’s visit comes one year on from Pakistan’s floods. The UK’s Ministry of Defence was at the forefront of responding to last year’s floods, airlifting in eight boats and ten portable generators at the request of Pakistan’s chief of army staff to support the relief effort.

Published in Dawn, August 27th, 2023