Talk by General Charles Vyvyan and screening of documentary

The Pakistan High Commission London, in collaboration with The Pakistan Society,organized an illustrated talk by General Charles Vyvyan CBE on his travels through Central Asia and Pakistan, at the High Commission on 24 August 2016.

In his talk, General Vyvan spoke about his fascinating journey on horseback and jeep through the mountains of Kyrgyzstan, across the Chinese border to Kashgar, and then over the Khunjrab Pass down into Gilgit and Chitral in Pakistan.  He highlighted the increasing geo-political significance of the region as the new Silk Route, particularly in the context of China’s ‘One Belt, One Road’ initiative. He said that both Pakistan and the UK, for more strategic reasons, needed to gain a renewed familiarity with the region, especially when China was directing considerable investment through China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

General Vyvyan also gave a detailed description about the nature of the landscapes he travelled, the people he met, as well as their history, culture and aspirations.

Speaking on the occasion, H.E. Syed Ibne Abbas, Pakistan High Commissioner to the UK thanked General Charles Vyvyan for his interesting talk on the region, its people and the history. He said that the talk rightly highlighted the
importance of this region as a historical trade route and gave a fascinating overview of the people, their culture and their history.

The talk was followed by screening of the documentary ‘Beyond the Heights’,about the Pakistani mountaineer, Samina Baig, who became the first Pakistani woman to climb Mount Everest. The documentary was brought to London by Ms Maryam Cheema as part of the Pakistan International Mountain Film Festival.

Sir Nicholas Barrington also spoke on the occasion.