Wycombe Team Rector in Pakistan to ‘listen and learn’

Local vicar Revd David Picken has travelled to Pakistan with former Mayor of High Wycombe, Cllr Liaquat Ali. 

Now returned from the trip, David Picken writes:

'Our visit included time in Islamabad, Lahore and Mirpur. The latter is a city in Kashmir linked with High Wycombe. It was a rare opportunity for a westerner to enter the disputed territory as special clearance was arranged for me. It is a beautiful region, making the dispute between Pakistan and India the more tragic.

'There were several hallmarks to the trip. Fantastic hospitality was one of them. I was taken into people’s homes as a member of the family and was Liaquat and I had opportunities for meetings with people that it is rare to get to see. Included in this was a special meeting with the leading preacher at Lahore mosque and a very influential spiritual and political figure. Apparently he accorded us the same level of hospitality that Prince Charles had received just a short time before.

'Christians in Pakistan were like everywhere – a very diverse group. They do suffer hardship as a result of political actions taken by western governments and discrimination exists. Like it or not, Iraq and Afghanistan is seen as a Christian- Muslim conflict by many there.

'It was a remarkable experience and taught me more than would be possible in years of study.

For more information contact Revd David Picken on 07981 145034