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Wycombe Team Rector in Pakistan to ‘listen and learn’ PDF Print E-mail

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