What was the motivation behind you joining the Foreign Service as not many women in Pakistan
are a part of it, especially in significant positions?
First thing that I need to clarify is that now many women are coming to the Foreign Service. This is now a very popular profession among women of Pakistan. When I joined the service, of course, it wasn’t as popular. But still I wasn’t the first woman there have been many role model before me. I always had an interest in International Relations and the developments happening around us even though I was studying the subject of science. I was still interested in international politics because I saw my family these issues as well. So it became an interest for me to join the diplomatic service. I gradually grew to like the diplomatic service. Well one day I asked my father how do you become a diplomat so he said there is a very difficult exam that you have to take. Therefore, that was the first time I heard about the Central Superior Services (CSS) exam; since no one in my family had attempted the exam.
As you mentioned before, what do you think is the reason behind Foreign Service becoming popular amongst women in Pakistan?
It’s because there is now more access to information about other women diplomats who are working so that of course is encouraging. When I decided to sit for the exam I was frankly not aware of a single woman officer in the Foreign Office, any woman ambassador. I wasn’t of any female diplomat from any country. But when I joined the Foreign Service I realized there were many other women – my seniors over here, doing a great job. But we weren’t aware because there wasn’t any internet to keep us informed about such developments.
But it’s still a man’s world?
Well, it was.
So how did you maneuver through it?
Yes, but one thing I must mention that this service where you are acknowledged for your hardwork and we don’t distinguish between genders. This is an environment in which I grew professionally. There were male colleagues here who encouraged me and appreciated the hardwork. Perhaps the first female civil servant might have face some challenges, navigating in the man’s world but when I came in there were many women who had crossed this path and were already ambassadors so I wasn’t really unique in that sense.
It is usually heard of that in countries like Russia, China, India and Pakistan media is relatively more hostile to politicians and diplomats. Do you agree with that? How do you handle the media when they are that way at any instance?
As a spokesperson?
Yes, as a spokesperson.
I have developed a very good rapport with media as a spokesperson. I understood at the very beginning that they are here to do their job and they understood that I’m here to do my job. My job is to communicate government policy and it is their job to seek information and hold government to account. Once you realize and respect one person’s job it becomes 2025comes easier to communicate and that is why I had a good time as a spokesperson communicating the government’s policy with the media. They were very respectful while of course asking tough questions, which is their job. Therefore, I took it in that stride and prepare information to share the best way one could. But, particularly, to share information the Government of Pakistan’s policy on foreign matters. My job is not to be a media person and share breaking news. My job is to share the government’s perspective.
So, the media and I found a good balance and a relationship built on mutual respect.
According to you, what was your greatest achievement and then the toughest part while serving?
My job as spokesperson was somewhat challenging because it was a 24/7 job. Because of the electronic and social media one cannot switch off. There is always something happening. I found it difficult to manage time; to find time for myself, my family while also doing justice to this work. I must say, without the support of my husband, this would not have been possible.
Politically, Ms. Spokesperson, were you faced with a difficult situation?
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs prides itself in being an apolitical and non-partisan institution. We make every effort to ensure that we don’t engage in political affairs and take any measures which are partisan. That is how my predecessors did it and that is how I did. But at the same time people don’t understand that we are representing Pakistan as a country when it is under international criticism. Sometimes, those who don’t understand our work don’t appreciate our stance. And they sometimes question the statements that the foreign office issues. I always invite them to look at our statements from the perspective of us being representatives of Pakistan and the fact we are the spokespersons of Pakistan, not of any political party.
We represent all of you.
What about the most rewarding part of this job?
I have been fortunate that my work was recognised and appreciated by my colleagues. I cannot say one thing was better than the other. But still the most rewarding part was when I was the Director of Foreign Service Academy and I was involved with training of young diplomats. Like any teacher, when you are a teacher you want your students to do better than you. That is how I see people who I have trained, not only in Foreign Service Academy but throughout my career. I want them to excel in this profession and in this world and do better than how I performed. I take great pride when they succeed in their careers.
When the trainees or future diplomats come to the Academy for training, what are the three things that come to mind that they should follow?
First of all, it is important for them to know that there is no short cut to success. In today’s world of instant gratification one thinks they can succeed overnight. However, it is a long journey of hardwork. The second thing we tell our diplomats is that they are the representatives of the country. So, their personal behavior, the way they engage with individuals outside that should reflect best possible face of Pakistan. Therefore, wherever they go they have this vision in mind. Lastly, any foreign service officer should do is to constantly educate themselves, read books, learn about new things and new cultures. What you get from reading books you cannot get it from any social media platform. They must also read writings of individuals with whom they have a difference of opinion because you have to understand their perspective as well to negotiate with them.
You mentioned earlier on that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is non-partisan. Usually, there is a negative connotation attached with the word ‘diplomatic’ or ‘neutral’. What do you have to say about that?
I don’t know why there is a negative connotation attached to that. The reality is that Foreign Service not just of Pakistan but of any country is the country’s first line of defense. Where diplomacy fails, wars break out. When you want to end a war you need diplomacy to find solutions and form agreements. Diplomacy is critical is for peace in this world. Those who don’t understand this and question it perhaps don’t know what diplomacy means.
As a diplomat, you have to be measured and perhaps keep your calm even when you’re losing it because at the end of the day we are all human beings. Have you ever, during your service, lost your calm, gotten annoyed or lost your temper explicitly? And if you do feel it inwardly, what’s your coping mechanism?
These things happen but you have to make sure that doesn’t impact your work, your engagement with foreign interlocutors. Keeping in mind we are representing a country, a state. So it is not your ‘own’ views that are being questioned but the views of the state. Your own views don’t carry weight but of your country. When you don’t take the criticism personally since it is about relations between countries then you don’t lose your calm. There are repercussion of getting aggressive during negotiations as it is your job to keep cordial relations with other countries. If you fight with them how will you engage with them.
You have also worked with UN, do you really think UN holds any significance today when it comes to maintaining peace and resolution of conflicts in the world?
For us UN is critical. We believe international law and UN Charter is critical. Pakistan believes that it is important for the international community to protect UN.
Don’t you think the Global North has monopolized the UN?
Of course they have a say, but this is how the UN was conceived. All members of the UN are members of the General Assembly where any country, big or small has a vote. And we can make our voice heard perhaps not as loudly as the Security Council could. And when Security Council fails, it is the UN General Assembly that spells out its position on important international issues like what happened during the Korean War. Similarly these days, the UN Security Council hasn’t been able to come up with a strong statement on Palestine, so the General Assembly has been very loud and clear on the issue of Palestine. It has called for ceasefire, it has also referred the case of Palestine and foreign occupation to International Court of Justice (ICJ) and ICJ is deliberating on it. Therefore, we cannot say that UN doesn’t have any power. But United Nations may be strengthened further and reformed. This world order cant survive without UN.
Lastly, you’re heading to France as a diplomat now, what are you expecting for the upcoming experience?
France is an important partner for Pakistan. It is also a permanent member of the Security Council and member of G-7, made of the big developed countries. In that respect it is important for Pakistan to have a strong relationship with France. Pakistan has been engaged with France in a number of areas and we intend on taking it forward whether it is economy, in science and technology, agriculture, and climate. There is UNESCO headquarters in France, therefore areas of science and technology will be of importance to us. There are a number of international organisations in France, therefore amiable relations with it are of significance for Pakistan.
