Daily Times

British High Commissioner to Pakistan Christian Turner has said that he was blown away by natural beauty of the Nothern Pakistan, Gilgit Baltistan, Hunza and Chitral.

“In my first visit to the North of Pakistan, I was blown away by its natural beauty. But the potential for sustainable tourism and its communities are at risk from climate change,” Christian Turner stated during his visit to North of Pakistan.

According to a statement of United Kingdom (UK) Government issued here on Saturday, The British High Commissioner Christian Turner travelled to Chitral, Hunza and Gilgit this week in his first visit to the Northern areas of Pakistan. The visit was part of a joint effort with the Canadian High Commission and the Agha Khan Foundation (AKF).

British High Commissioner Christian Turne said that “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”.

The High Commissioner also visited UK funded climate-resilience activities in central Garam Chashma (Chitral). The UK, he said 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”,he remarked. The UK government statement added that 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 8 million girls in Pakistan to attend primary and secondary school,it said.

The statement further said that The High Commissioner also visited Government Girls School in Hunza, the Chitral Women Sports Club and met inspiring women entrepreneurs who were 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 statement said.

It further said that the Scotland Pakistan Scholarship for Young Women and Girls aims to make higher education more accessible to underprivileged girls across Pakistan.