Nawaz hails Pakistan’s blind diplomat

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has appreciated the services of the country’s first blind civil servant Saima Saleem, who is working at Pakistan’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations at Geneva.

The Prime Minister in an interaction with Saima Saleem, the Second Secretary on Human Rights, during his visit to Switzerland to participate in the World Economic Forum in Davos paid tribute to the woman diplomat for her courage and dedication.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif lauded the commitment of Saima Saleem who he said was not deterred by her disability in discharging official duties while serving at an important position in Geneva since 2013. He said the government was committed to the empowerment of people with disabilities. He wished Saima Saleem the best for her professional life and expressed confidence that with her steadfastness she would continue to promote Pakistan’s positive image abroad.

Saima Saleem, 32, joined the Foreign Service of Pakistan in 2009 and holds an M.Phil degree in English Literature. She is the country’s first blind civil servant who obtained sixth positions all over the country and stood first amongst female candidates in the CSS Examinations. She is the recipient of gold medal on getting first position in Foreign Service Training Programme besides receiving other awards including the Quaid-e-Azam Gold Medal for best academic performance, the Fatima Jinnah Gold Medal on International Women’s Day 2008 and the gold medal in Masters in English Literature. Saima Saleem was awarded Fulbright Scholarship by the United States (2011 2012).

Before her appointment at Pakistan’s Permanent Mission to United Nations Saima earlier served at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as Assistant Director to China (May 2012 to July 2012) and as the Assistant Director Security Council and Human Rights (July 2010 to Aug 2011).

She also served as lecturer at Kinnaird College for Women Lahore from 2007 to 2008. Saima Saleem has also to her credit drafting a number of compliance reports for Pakistan on issues pertaining to human rights and core human rights instruments as well as resolutions including one on Ensuring use of remotely piloted aircraft or armed drones in counter terrorism and military operations in accordance with international law on human rights and humanitarian law.