Home »General News » Pakistan » FM eulogises services of outgoing foreign secretary Tehmina Janjua
Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi on Friday hosted a farewell ceremony in the honour of outgoing Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua, who will be replaced by Sohail Mahmood, the current High Commissioner to India.

The farewell ceremony was held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which was attended by senior officials of the Foreign Office and a large number of foreign diplomats and ambassadors.

Tehmina Janjua assumed charge as Pakistan's first woman foreign secretary on March 20, 2017 and replaced Aizaz Chaudhry. Being the member of the Foreign Service of Pakistan since 1984, Janjua served at various important diplomatic missions abroad, including as Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the United Nations and other International Organisations, Geneva (October 2015 - March 2017); Ambassador of Pakistan to Italy (concurrently accredited to Albania, San Marino, Slovenia, FAO, IFAD and WFP) (2011-2015); Deputy Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the United Nations and other International Organisations, Geneva (2005-2009); Counsellor Pakistan Mission to the United Nations and Other International Organisations, Geneva (1996-2000); and Second Secretary/First Secretary, Permanent Mission of Pakistan to the United Nations, New York (1990-1995).

Janjua also served as the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Islamabad, in 2011. At the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Islamabad, she has served as Director General (Strategic Planning), Foreign Secretary's Office (2009 to 2011); Director Foreign Secretary's Office (2004-2005); Director Minister of State for Foreign Affairs' Office (2000); Director Foreign Secretary's Office (1995-1996); Acting Director of the Office of the National Security Adviser (1989); and Desk Officer, Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, Foreign Office (1986-1987).

Speaking at the farewell, Foreign Minister Qureshi lauded the services rendered by Tehmina Janjua, saying that her services for Pakistan would always be remembered.

"I have worked with her for the last eight months and during these eight months, there were challenging occasions...The way she carried herself. I've seen her working till late hours and even on holidays and weekends...I think she is an inspiration for many women in the Foreign Office," Qureshi said.

"In male-dominated society, for a woman to rise to the top is not easy. In a third world country, it is not easy and you have risen to the top as the first woman secretary of Pakistan and this should be an inspiration for all," Qureshi said while appreciating the services of Janjua.

Janjua, while speaking on the occasion, thanked her colleagues for working under her to serve the country's interests and also the foreign minister for his appreciations.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2019


the author

Top
Close
Close