Pakistan like any country is not without its challenges: Jane Marriott

ISLAMABAD, July 26 (SABAH): Pakistan, like any country, is not without its challenges. This year is a critical year for making the economic reforms necessary to ensure Pakistan’s long-term success: an inclusive approach with buy in from all the key players is essential.

This has been said by Jane Marriott, British High Commissioner to Pakistan in a statement here on Friday. 

Jane Marriott said that today marks the 1-year anniversary of her arrival in Pakistan. And what a year it’s been! It’s a country that she had always wanted to live in, with a wonderful reputation in the UK thanks to its warm hospitality, natural beauty, rich cultural heritage and culinary delights. It has not disappointed, she noted. 

Jane Marriott further said that she feel lucky to be able to hike in some of the most beautiful parts of the world, regularly taking advantage of the Margalla Hills on my doorstep, and some special weekends to Nathia Gali. She said while it wasn’t the year for either of our cricket teams, it didn’t take away from the electric atmosphere when she visited Rawalpindi Stadium for the PSL and the Oval in London to see the Pakistan-UK T20. Although if you saw me attempting to bat some balls with the Women’s team and Marina Iqbal, safe to say I won’t be getting called up any time soon, she added.

She said family is at the heart of society here, adding earlier this year my 82-year old Mum and big sister visited, also falling in love with the country. And many of my colleagues who have had family visit have spoken of the warm welcome they’ve had as they’ve travelled around, she added.

She said that she could not talk about Pakistan without talking about the food! There’s something quite special about walking into the office, and the smell of the world’s best mangoes filling the room. “From Peshawar’s Kaboob, to Multan’s Halva and Karachi’s Biryani, I have eaten well (and eaten a lot!),” she added. 

She said Pakistan, like any country, is not without its challenges. This year is a critical year for making the economic reforms necessary to ensure Pakistan’s long-term success: an inclusive approach with buy in from all the key players is essential. Pakistan faces a daunting task in adapting lives and livelihoods across the country to the impacts of climate change, she noted. She further said the Prime Minister has declared an ‘Education Emergency’, aiming to get Pakistan’s large cohort of out-of-school children back on track with their education.

But having met Pakistanis from across the country, I know your strength, innovative nature and resilience puts you in an excellent position to tackle these issues head on, with the UK as a close friend and partner, she added.