Philip Barton appointed new British HC to Pakistan
Barton will succeed Adam Thomson who will be transferring to another Diplomatic Service appointment.
ISLAMABAD (Online) - Philip Barton has been appointed as the new British High Commissioner to Pakistan and will be taking up his appointment during January 2014.
He will succeed Adam Thomson, who will be transferring to another Diplomatic Service appointment, according to British High Commission Spokesperson.
Barton joined the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office in 1986. His last posting was as Deputy Head of Mission in Washington.
He has held a number of positions dealing with South Asian issues, including Director of Foreign Policy and Afghanistan and Pakistan; Co-ordinator in the Cabinet Office as part of the Secretariat supporting the National Security Council; Additional Director for South Asia in the FCO; and a posting in New Delhi.
He has served as Private Secretary to Prime Ministers John Major and Tony Blair. He has also been posted to Gibraltar as Deputy Governor, Nicosia as Deputy High Commissioner and Caracas.
On his appointment as British High Commissioner to Pakistan, Barton has said:
“It is an honour and a privilege for me to be appointed to represent the United Kingdom in Pakistan. As Prime Minister David Cameron said when he visited Islamabad in June, we in the UK care deeply about Pakistan, its people and its future.
“The one million people of Pakistani origin in the UK are a bridge between our two countries. I look forward to advancing our shared agenda and common interests over the years ahead.”
