Following the meeting in Delhi, 3 of us headed to Pakistan to meet our colleagues and partners there and hear about proposed re-emerging work.

Geographically it's a relatively short journey from India to Pakistan, and a possible direct route from Delhi to Lahore by plane and bus, but given the political and security situation we were advised to fly - west to Dubai and then back east to Lahore, so began a bit of a mammoth journey. I arrived at 3am, and was pleased to be met by welcoming local colleagues who seemed neither tired or reluctant to be at the airport in the middle of the night!

After about 3 hours sleep in a local guesthouse, it was an early start to visit a key government organisation that most recently had managed the series of devastating floods. There was talk of resilience and volunteer management and increasing local capacity.

We then headed to the government emergency services body that deals with train accidents, fires, earthquakes, terrorist attacks. After the briefing we were shown around the training ground and saw the service in action, performing drills. On a whim I volunteered to climb the dummy skyscraper and be roped down as part of a 'rescue'... About 2 thirds up the 105 ft ladder climb I realised I was scared, but too late. When I got there, we chatted at the top and took photos, as I played for time. But harness buckled, and then I hear the terrifying words, 'just sit off and let go!'. But I needn't have worried as they gently 'belayed' me down to earth.

Our final stop that morning was with the Governor of Punjab, who has previously been a MP in Glasgow and the UK's first Muslim MP. We sat on the lawn and talked a little Scottish and UK politics, and of the work we are doing in the Punjab.

Time to leave Lahore and a 5 hour drive down the motorway to Islamabad, and to a well attended reception for our partners and fellow organisations. It was great to meet and speak to so many people who our local team works with and alongside, as we ate together outside on a cold evening. I'd somehow thought it would be warm but of course we were north of the equator and it's winter.

The next 2 days were full of useful meetings with British and international officials, a packed schedule even by my standards. I was repeatedly struck by the close connections between Britain and Pakistan and how we might work together.

Our final hours were once more with the staff team and the handful of international volunteers we currently have in Pakistan. It had been very good to spend time together even though it was such a short period.

Time then for a couple of planes home. It's been 12 days, 2 countries, 7 flights. And much to think about and do in the organisational mission of bringing people together to fight poverty.

Some photos here:

https://www.icloud.com/photostream/#A25BydzF3eM60 - Pakistan