ISLAMABAD: Christian Turner, a Boris Johnson appointee, will leave Pakistan after finishing his tenure as United Kingdom high commissioner for three years, the British mission in Islamabad said.
The foreign secretary, James Cleverly, “announced the appointment of […] Turner to a senior diplomatic position in London as Director General Geopolitical (Political Director) at the UK’s Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO),” read a statement issued by the British government.
“This is a position equivalent to Under Secretary of State.”
The office is traditionally seen as the UK’s second most senior diplomat responsible for bringing together the government’s cross-cutting geopolitical work on security, international architecture and alliances, as well as British values.
Turner is expected to take up the new role in London in the second week of January, which “follows the end of a standard three-year diplomatic posting,” according to the statement.
Over his three years in Islamabad, Turner oversaw the UK’s Covid-19 repatriation efforts; welcomed a UK foreign secretary visit; lobbied for, and secured, direct flights from the UK to Pakistan; initiated a drive to double Pakistan-UK trade by 2025; ensured that the UK was at the forefront of the international response to Pakistan floods; and played a pivotal role in the promotion of sports diplomacy and the return of the English cricket team to Pakistan following a 17-year absence, the British foreign office noted.
“The last three years have been some of the most rewarding of my life, both professionally and personally,” Turner said in a statement responding to the news. “I will continue closely to follow Pakistan’s future in my new role in London.”
It has been announced today that I will leave Pakistan in January to take up position as DG Geopolitical, the “Political Director” in @FCDOGovUK
Pakistan, I will miss you. https://t.co/qHi36i17W8
— Christian Turner (@CTurnerFCDO) December 5, 2022
