Misplaced Pages

High Commissioner of Australia to Pakistan
Incumbent Neil Hawkins since 6 July 2022
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Style	His Excellency
Reports to	Minister for Foreign Affairs
Residence	Karachi (1948–1966) Rawalpindi (1966–1969) Islamabad (since 1969)
Seat	Clifton, Karachi (1948–1961) Diplomatic Enclave, Islamabad (since 1969)
Nominator	Prime Minister of Australia
Appointer	Governor General of Australia
Inaugural holder	John Oldham
Formation	May 1949
Website	Australian High Commission, Pakistan

The high commissioner of Australia to Pakistan is an officer of the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the head of the High Commission of the Commonwealth of Australia to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan in Islamabad. The high commissioner has the rank and status of an ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary and is currently Neil Hawkins since 6 July 2022. Non-resident accreditation was also previously held for Afghanistan. The High Commission was first established in Karachi in 1948, with John Oldham appointed as Australia's first high commissioner in 1949.

Posting history

On 15 August 1947, the Minister for External Affairs, Herbert Evatt, announced the establishment of diplomatic relations between Australia and Pakistan, with a high commissioner appointed to Karachi. On 8 March 1948, John McMillan arrived in Pakistan as first secretary to establish the new high commission in Karachi. In May 1949, the first high commissioner, John Oldham, took up office.

When the Pakistani Government moved its capital from Karachi to Islamabad in 1966, the Australian High Commission also moved, initially to Rawalpindi from August 1966, and then Islamabad from 1969. When Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom recognised the independence of East Pakistan as the new state of Bangladesh, the President of Pakistan, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, announced on 30 January 1972 that Pakistan had withdrawn from the Commonwealth of Nations, and the high commissioner was retitled as an ambassador. When Pakistan rejoined the Commonwealth from 1 November 1989, the embassy again became a high commission.

Afghanistan

On 16 December 1968, the Minister for External Affairs, Paul Hasluck, announced the establishment of diplomatic relations between Australia and the Kingdom of Afghanistan, with the high commissioner to Pakistan receiving non-resident accreditation. The first Australian Ambassador to Afghanistan, Lew Border, formally presented his credentials to King Zahir Shah on 30 March 1969. With the beginning of the Soviet–Afghan War, diplomatic relations with Afghanistan were suspended from on 27 December 1979, with informal connections maintained by the High Commission in Islamabad. Australia and Afghanistan re-established diplomatic representation in 2002, after a long hiatus during conflict in Afghanistan. Between April 2002 and September 2006, Australia's high commissioner to Pakistan was accredited as non-resident Ambassador to Afghanistan, prior to the appointment of a resident ambassador in Kabul in 2006.

East Pakistan/Bangladesh

In April 1969, a Deputy High Commission (reporting to the High Commission in Islamabad) was opened in the city of Dacca, the capital of East Pakistan. Career diplomat James Lawrence (Jim) Allen, was appointed as Deputy High Commissioner. Australia was one of the first nations to officially recognise Bangladesh as an independent country on 31 January 1972, following the end of the Bangladesh Liberation War on 16 December 1971 and its status as East Pakistan. On 13 March 1972, the former Deputy High Commissioner in Dacca and Chargé d'affaires of the Australian mission since the establishment of diplomatic relations, Jim Allen, was appointed as Australia's first Ambassador to Bangladesh, which was quickly upgraded to the rank of high commissioner following Bangladesh's admission to the Commonwealth of Nations on 18 April 1972.

Heads of mission

Notes

^A : Also non-resident Ambassador to Afghanistan, 1968–1979 and 2002–2006.

See also

• Australia–Pakistan relations

References

1. CA 6804: Australian High Commission, Pakistan [Karachi], National Archives of Australia, retrieved 15 April 2015
2. "REPRESENTATION. EXCHANGE OF DIPLOMATIC: REPRESENTATIVES WITH PAKISTAN". Current Notes on International Affairs. 18 (7). Department of External Affairs: 480. August 1947. Retrieved 28 November 2022 – via National Library of Australia (Trove).
3. "Australian Representation Overseas". Current Notes on International Affairs. 19 (3). Department of External Affairs: 145. March 1948. Retrieved 28 November 2022 – via National Library of Australia (Trove).
4. ^ "Representation - Australian Representation Overseas". Current Notes on International Affairs. 20 (3). National Library of Australia (Trove): Department of External Affairs: 413. March 1949. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
5. CA 8219: Australian High Commission, Pakistan [Islamabad], National Archives of Australia, retrieved 15 April 2015
6. Sterba, James P. (31 January 1972). "Bhutto Removes Pakistan From the Commonwealth". The New York Times. p. 1. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
7. ^ CA 8220: Australian Embassy, Pakistan [Islamabad], National Archives of Australia, retrieved 15 April 2015
8. "Appointment of Australian Ambassador to Afghanistan" (Media Release). Department of External Affairs. 16 December 1968. Retrieved 22 February 2022.
9. ^ Maley, William (September 2019). "Australia– Afghanistan relations Reflections on a half-century" (PDF). Australian Strategic Policy Institute. Retrieved 22 February 2022.
10. Downer, Alexander (9 August 2006). "Diplomatic appointment: Ambassador to Afghanistan" (Press release). Australian Government. Archived from the original on 12 February 2014.
11. Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Afghanistan country brief, Australian Government, archived from the original on 8 March 2015
12. "Relations with countries of Asia - Pakistan". Department of External Affairs Annual Report 1968/1969 (Parliamentary Paper No. 127). Trove: Parliament of Australia: 15. 25 September 1969. Retrieved 29 October 2022.
13. "Appendix III Australian Representation Overseas At 30 June 1969". Department of External Affairs Annual Report 1968/1969 (Parliamentary Paper No. 127). Trove: Parliament of Australia: 99. 25 September 1969. Retrieved 29 October 2022.
14. "Bangladesh: The First Year - Relations with Australia". Australian Foreign Affairs Record. 44 (1). Department of Foreign Affairs: 23. January 1973. Retrieved 29 October 2022.
15. "Appointment of Australian Ambassador to Bangladesh". Current Notes on International Affairs. 43 (3): 115. March 1972. Retrieved 29 October 2022.
16. "Bangladesh Joins the Commonwealth". Current Notes on International Affairs. 43 (4). Department of Foreign Affairs: 158–159. April 1972. Retrieved 29 October 2022.
17. "First High Commissioner to Pakistan". The West Australian. 26 April 1949. p. 10.
18. "Mr. John Oldham to return". The Sydney Morning Herald. 20 February 1952. p. 2.
19. "Retirement of Mr J. E. Oldham". Current Notes on International Affairs. 39 (1). National Library of Australia (Trove): Department of External Affairs: 25. January 1968. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
20. "High Commissioner to Pakistan". The Canberra Times. 29 February 1952. p. 4.
21. "Statements - Colombo Plan: Minister for External Affairs to Visit Karachi. Appointment of Australian High Commissioner to Pakistan". Current Notes on International Affairs. 23 (3). Department of External Affairs: 133. March 1952. Retrieved 28 November 2022 – via National Library of Australia (Trove).
22. "Envoy to Pakistan". The Dubbo Liberal and Macquarie Advocate. 31 March 1954. p. 6.
23. "DIPLOMATIC APPOINTMENTS — AUSTRALIAN ENVOYS TO PAKISTAN AND BURMA". Current Notes on International Affairs. 25 (3). Department of External Affairs: 189. March 1954. Retrieved 28 November 2022 – via National Library of Australia (Trove).
24. "Representation - Australian Representation Overseas". Current Notes on International Affairs. 25 (7). Department of External Affairs: 513. July 1954. Retrieved 28 November 2022 – via National Library of Australia (Trove).
25. "Representation - Australian Representation Overseas". Current Notes on International Affairs. 29 (12). Department of External Affairs: 829. December 1958. Retrieved 28 November 2022 – via National Library of Australia (Trove).
26. "APPOINTMENT OF HIGH COMMISSIONERS TO CANADA AND PAKISTAN". Current Notes on International Affairs. 29 (8). Department of External Affairs: 507. August 1958. Retrieved 28 November 2022 – via National Library of Australia (Trove).
27. "Representation - Australian Representation Overseas". Current Notes on International Affairs. 30 (1). Department of External Affairs: 52. January 1959. Retrieved 28 November 2022 – via National Library of Australia (Trove).
28. "Australian Representation Overseas". Current Notes on International Affairs. 32 (6). National Library of Australia (Trove): Department of External Affairs: 68. June 1961. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
29. "Envoy to Pakistan". The Canberra Times. 28 September 1961. p. 9.
30. "Australian Representation Overseas - Pakistan". Current Notes on International Affairs. 32 (7). Department of External Affairs: 41. July 1961. Retrieved 28 November 2022 – via National Library of Australia (Trove).
31. "Australian Representation Overseas". Current Notes on International Affairs. 32 (9). Department of External Affairs: 58. September 1961. Retrieved 28 November 2022 – via National Library of Australia (Trove).
32. "Representation - Australian Representation Overseas". Current Notes on International Affairs. 33 (4). Department of External Affairs: 41. April 1962. Retrieved 28 November 2022 – via National Library of Australia (Trove).
33. "New Commissioner". The Canberra Times. 6 September 1962. p. 1.
34. "Representation - Australian Representation Overseas". Current Notes on International Affairs. 33 (7). Department of External Affairs: 61. July 1962. Retrieved 28 November 2022 – via National Library of Australia (Trove).
35. "Australian Representation Overseas". Current Notes on International Affairs. 33 (10). Department of External Affairs: 94. October 1962. Retrieved 28 November 2022 – via National Library of Australia (Trove).
36. "Australian Representation Overseas". Current Notes on International Affairs. 36 (11). Department of External Affairs: 796. November 1965. Retrieved 28 November 2022 – via National Library of Australia (Trove).
37. "Diplomats appointed". The Canberra Times. 3 December 1965. p. 8.
38. "Representation - Australian Representation Overseas". Current Notes on International Affairs. 37 (3). Department of External Affairs: 170. March 1966. Retrieved 28 November 2022 – via National Library of Australia (Trove).
39. "Representation - Australian Representation Overseas". Current Notes on International Affairs. 39 (7). Department of External Affairs: 314. July 1968. Retrieved 28 November 2022 – via National Library of Australia (Trove).
40. Hearder, Jeremy (20 January 2022). "Distinguished diplomat served around the world: Duncan Campbell: 1933–2021". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
41. "New envoy appointed". The Canberra Times. ACT. 6 June 1968. p. 5.
42. "Representation - Australian Representation Overseas". Current Notes on International Affairs. 39 (12). Department of External Affairs: 549. December 1968. Retrieved 28 November 2022 – via National Library of Australia (Trove).
43. "Representation - Australian Representation Overseas". Current Notes on International Affairs. 40 (3). Department of External Affairs: 110. March 1969. Retrieved 28 November 2022 – via National Library of Australia (Trove).
44. "Representation - Australian Representation Overseas". Current Notes on International Affairs. 41 (6). Department of External Affairs: 378. June 1970. Retrieved 28 November 2022 – via National Library of Australia (Trove).
45. "Diplomats posted". The Canberra Times. 29 May 1970. p. 7.
46. "Diplomatic appointments - Pakistan". Current Notes on International Affairs. 41 (5). Department of External Affairs: 292. May 1970. Retrieved 28 November 2022 – via National Library of Australia (Trove).
47. "Representation - Australian Representation Overseas". Current Notes on International Affairs. 41 (8). Department of External Affairs: 447. August 1970. Retrieved 28 November 2022 – via National Library of Australia (Trove).
48. "Enovy change". The Canberra Times. 1 May 1973. p. 3.
49. "Representation - Australian Representation Overseas". Australian Foreign Affairs Record. 44 (7). Department of Foreign Affairs: 496. July 1973. Retrieved 28 November 2022 – via National Library of Australia (Trove).
50. Willesee, Don (1 August 1975). "Appointment of Ambassador to Pakistan" (Media Release). Minister for Foreign Affairs, Australian Government. Retrieved 28 November 2022 – via ParlInfo.
51. Willesee, Don (6 August 1975). "Appointment of Ambassador to Afghanistan" (Media Release). Minister for Foreign Affairs, Australian Government. Retrieved 28 November 2022 – via ParlInfo.
52. Peacock, Andrew (15 August 1980). "Ambassador to Pakistan" (Media Release). Minister for Foreign Affairs, Australian Government. Retrieved 28 November 2022 – via ParlInfo.
53. "Australian Representation Overseas". Australian Foreign Affairs Record. 51 (8). Department of Foreign Affairs: 312. August 1980. Retrieved 28 November 2022 – via National Library of Australia (Trove).
54. Hayden, Bill (March 1984). "Diplomatic appointment: Pakistan" (Media Release). Minister for Foreign Affairs, Australian Government. Retrieved 28 November 2022 – via ParlInfo.
55. "New Ambassador to Pakistan named". The Canberra Times. Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 19 March 1984. p. 3. Retrieved 28 November 2022 – via National Library of Australia (Trove).
56. "Australian Representation Overseas". Australian Foreign Affairs Record. 55 (5). Department of Foreign Affairs: 560. May 1984. Retrieved 28 November 2022 – via National Library of Australia (Trove).
57. Mitcham, Chad J., ‘Price, Geoffrey John (1930-1999’, Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/price-geoffrey-john-32557, published online 2023; Hayden, Bill (7 June 1987). "Diplomatic appointment - Pakistan" (Media Release). Minister for Foreign Affairs, Australian Government. Retrieved 28 November 2022 – via ParlInfo.
58. CA 8221: Australian High Commission, Pakistan [Islamabad] [II], National Archives of Australia, retrieved 15 April 2015
59. Evans, Gareth (3 October 1991). "Diplomatic appointment - Pakistan" (Media Release). Minister for Foreign Affairs, Australian Government. Retrieved 28 November 2022 – via ParlInfo.
60. Evans, Gareth (22 July 1992). "Diplomatic appointment - Pakistan" (Media Release). Minister for Foreign Affairs, Australian Government. Retrieved 28 November 2022 – via ParlInfo.
61. Evans, Gareth (19 February 1996). "Diplomatic appointment: High Commissioner to Pakistan" (Media Release). Minister for Foreign Affairs, Australian Government. Retrieved 28 November 2022 – via ParlInfo.
62. Downer, Alexander (11 February 2000). "Diplomatic Appointment: High Commissioner to Pakistan" (Press release). Australian Government. Archived from the original on 12 February 2014.
63. Downer, Alexander (16 July 2004). "Diplomatic Appointment: High Commissioner to Pakistan" (Press release). Australian Government. Archived from the original on 12 February 2014.
64. Smith, Stephen (24 April 2009). "Diplomatic Appointment: High Commissioner to Pakistan" (Press release). Australian Government. Archived from the original on 8 April 2014.
65. Carr, Bob (7 April 2012). "Diplomatic Appointment: High Commissioner to Pakistan" (Press release). Australian Government. Archived from the original on 11 February 2014.
66. Bishop, Julie (23 June 2015). "High Commissioner to Pakistan". Minister for Foreign Affairs, Australian Government. Archived from the original (Media Release) on 12 April 2016. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
67. Payne, Marise (8 April 2019). "High Commissioner to Pakistan". Minister for Foreign Affairs, Australian Government. Archived from the original (Media Release) on 8 October 2019. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
68. Wong, Penny (6 July 2022). "High Commissioner to Pakistan". Minister for Foreign Affairs, Australian Government. Archived from the original (Media Release) on 29 October 2022. Retrieved 28 November 2022.

External links

• Australian High Commission, Pakistan

v t e Lists of heads of diplomatic missions of Australia
Bilateral Ambassadors	Afghanistan Algeria Argentina Austria Belgium Brazil Cambodia Chile China Colombia Croatia Denmark East Timor Egypt Ethiopia Estonia France Germany Greece Holy See Hungary Indonesia Iran Iraq Ireland Israel Italy Japan Jordan Kuwait Laos Lebanon Mexico Micronesia Mongolia Morocco Myanmar Nepal Netherlands North Korea Norway Peru Philippines Poland Portugal Russia Saudi Arabia Serbia South Korea Spain Sweden Switzerland Thailand Turkey Ukraine United Arab Emirates United States Venezuela Vietnam Zimbabwe
High Commissioners	Bangladesh Brunei Canada Cook Islands Cyprus Fiji Ghana India Kenya Kiribati Malaysia Malta Mauritius Nauru New Zealand Nigeria Niue Pakistan Papua New Guinea Samoa Singapore Solomon Islands South Africa Sri Lanka Tonga Trinidad and Tobago Tuvalu United Kingdom Vanuatu
Consuls-General	Auckland Bali Chengdu Chennai Chicago Guangzhou Hong Kong and Macau Ho Chi Minh City Honolulu Houston Kolkata Lae Makassar Milan Mumbai Noumea New York Papeete Phuket San Francisco Shanghai Shenyang Surabaya
International organisations	APEC ASEAN African Union European Union and NATO ICAO IMO OECD Pacific Islands Forum United Nations in New York United Nations in Geneva United Nations in Nairobi United Nations Agencies in Rome United Nations in Vienna UNESCO WTO
Special Representatives	Afghanistan Climate Change Counter-Terrorism Cyber Affairs and Critical Technology Environment Gender Equality Human Rights Palestine People Smuggling and Human Trafficking Regional Health Security Special Envoys Taiwan

• High commissioners of Australia to Pakistan
• Lists of high commissioners of Australia
• Lists of ambassadors to Pakistan