ISLAMABAD, 29 APR, (DNA) – The new British High Commissioner to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Thomas Drew CMG on Friday presented his credentials to President Mamnoon Hussain at a ceremony at the Presidential Palace in Islamabad.

Mr Drew arrived in Pakistan in February this year, succeeding Mr Philip Barton CMG OBE.

Speaking after the ceremony, Thomas Drew CMG, the British High Commissioner to Pakistan, said:“It is a huge privilege to be working here in Pakistan and to be leading one of Britain’s largest diplomatic missions. Nearly ten years ago, I moved to Pakistan for the first time, to be the Political Counsellor in the British High Commission”.

“I became a great friend of the country and its people.  I feel a great sense of energy at coming back here.  I am energised at seeing old friends, by the prospect of discovering more of the beautiful country and, most of all, by the prospect of doing work which is so important for both our countries”, he added.

“Pakistan matters to the UK and, I like to think, the UK matters to Pakistan: for each other’s security, for regional stability and for each other’s prosperity. Central to that are the 1.5 million British people of Pakistani origin who have made the UK their home”, Thomas Drew CMG concluded. =DNA