High Commissioner to Pakistan

Today I announce the appointment of Mr Neil Hawkins as Australia’s next High Commissioner to Pakistan.

Australia and Pakistan enjoy a long-standing relationship built on our shared strategic interests, Commonwealth heritage and enduring community links.

We have strong and growing people-to-people ties, with a large and flourishing 90,000-strong Pakistani community in Australia.

As an important education partner, we are again welcoming the many Pakistani students choosing to study in Australia following the re-opening of our international borders.

Our countries have a common interest in promoting peace and stability in our region.

We cooperate on transnational crime and border protection and work together to combat terrorism and people smuggling.

Our defence ties date back to 1907, underpinned by the unique relationship between the Australian Defence Force and Quetta Command and Staff College.

Mr Hawkins is a senior career officer with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and was most recently Assistant Secretary, East Asia Political Branch.

He has previously served overseas as Australia's Ambassador to Saudi Arabia and to Egypt.

I thank former High Commissioner Dr Geoffrey Shaw for his contributions to advancing Australia’s interests in Pakistan from 2019.