Dr Maleeha to take charge as Pak envoy to UN next month

ISLAMABAD: The Ambassador-designate Dr Maleeha Lodhi will take charge as Pakistan’s permanent representative to the United Nations next month soon after the current ambassador Masood Khan leaves the UN headquarters.
Khan will relinquish the charge on February 8. Dr Lodhi, who had earlier served Pakistan in various capacities, including Pakistan’s ambassador to the United States twice and High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, will greatly help enhance the country’s image in the world body and plead Pakistan’s case pertaining to various global issues as well the regional subjects effectively and vehemently.
She will be the first woman ambassador to represent Pakistan at the United Nations. She is busy in preparations and briefings as she has set a new tradition by calling on parliamentarians from all political parties and chairs of foreign affairs committees, including both the Houses of Parliament.
The members of parliament have eulogised the initiative of the designated envoy and it is likely that the future ambassadors/ high commissioners will follow it since it has been the pattern in civilised democratic countries, including the United States, where the postings are approved by the committees.
Dr. Lodhi brings rich experience to the assignment after two stints as ambassador to the US and five years in the UK. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has reached out to someone for the slot with a reputation as an independent foreign policy and defence analyst. Dr Maleeha Lodhi, media leader-turned diplomat has contributed significantly for foreign policy through her write-ups and diplomatic input. He predecessor Masood Khan, who has attained superannuation as he was appointed PR in the UN in October 2012, has already started farewell meetings in the UN headquarters. He earlier served as ambassador to China and before that PR in the UN office at Geneva. Khan will be offered an important foreign affairs related assignment on his returning to the country, the sources pointed out.