President of Pakistan on Wednesday paid tribute to women diplomats for their contributions to advancing international dialogue, cooperation and peaceful conflict resolution, while reaffirming the country’s commitment to ensuring equal opportunities for women in public service and foreign affairs.
In a message issued on the International Day of Women in Diplomacy, observed annually on June 24, the president said women had played a vital role in strengthening international engagement and fostering understanding among nations, often under challenging and uncertain circumstances.
Highlighting Pakistan’s diplomatic legacy, the president said the country had a long history of women serving with distinction in diplomacy and public life. He noted that Begum Ra’ana Liaquat Ali Khan represented Pakistan abroad with dignity during the country’s formative years, while Begum Shaista Ikramullah, one of Pakistan’s pioneering diplomats and parliamentarians, played a significant role at the United Nations in promoting human rights and advocating for newly independent states.
The president also praised the contributions of Benazir Bhutto, describing her as the first woman prime minister of the Muslim world who expanded Pakistan’s international outreach and strengthened its presence in global forums.
He said Pakistani women had served in senior diplomatic positions, including ambassadors, foreign secretaries, permanent representatives and heads of mission, representing the country in bilateral relations, at the United Nations and within other multilateral institutions.
According to the president, women diplomats have contributed across all areas of diplomacy, helping safeguard Pakistan’s interests while maintaining channels of communication during periods of heightened tensions and complex negotiations. He said their role remained indispensable at a time marked by armed conflicts, geopolitical rivalries, climate-related challenges, technological transformation and evolving security threats.
The president said diplomacy’s ultimate objective was to create conditions conducive to peace, progress and prosperity, adding that achieving these goals required careful preparation, disciplined negotiations and an understanding of diverse perspectives. He noted that women diplomats had consistently strengthened diplomatic institutions through professionalism, expertise and dedication to public service.
Reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to gender equality, he said the Constitution guarantees equal rights and equal treatment under the law. He added that the government continued to support women’s full participation in national institutions, including the foreign service, where an increasing number of Pakistani women are serving in diplomatic missions and international organisations in demanding and strategically important roles.
Referring to recent diplomatic developments, the president said Pakistan’s facilitation of a memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran underscored the value of sustained engagement and quiet diplomacy. He added that Pakistani women diplomats, alongside their colleagues, had contributed to such efforts in various capacities and continued to play a key role in advancing Pakistan’s interests at multilateral forums, particularly the United Nations.
Concluding his message, the president expressed appreciation for all Pakistani women diplomats, past and present, saying their service had strengthened the country’s international standing and enriched its diplomatic engagement. He said their contributions remained an integral part of Pakistan’s ongoing efforts to engage the world with purpose, professionalism and resolve.