SAUDI ARABIA

Fayyaz appointed first female consular at Pakistan Consulate

March 21, 2018

Syed Mussarat Khalil

Saudi Gazette

JEDDAH
— Fozia Fayyaz Ahmed become first female consular at Consulate General Pakistan Jeddah in its 70 years history.

The newly arrived female career diplomat Fozia Fayyaz said, “Pakistan is a progressive country. Women are working in all fields. They are doing wonderful jobs. Our people have great regards for them. Everyone trusts on them and cooperates with them. Pakistan as a society that recognizes the women role and Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) is very progressive. It has opened its doors for women at all levels.”

At present the head of the institution is Mrs. Tahmina Janjua and the special secretary is Tasneem Aslam. But Pakistan foreign office had not assigned any female diplomat to Saudi Arabia for the past 70 years and with this appointment have set a new precedent.

“I am the first female diplomat to serve in KSA. I am overall in-charge of consular section which provides facilities to service seekers such as passports, national identity cards, renewal and extension, travel documents etc.

Hailing from a very traditional background, she come from the part of Pakistan called southern Punjab. It is in the Saraiki belt of Pakistan, and she said, “People of the area, earlier, did not give much emphasis to girls education specially the higher education. But I am proud and credit my late father (Fayyaz Ahmad), who had vision, passion and courage that daughters should also get higher education.”

Fozia holds a master degree in English literature from Islamic University of Bahawalpur and she passed Central Superior Service Exam (CSS exam) conducted by Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC) Islamabad and then joined foreign service of Pakistan. Her first posting was at Washington DC, and it was very rewarding and professional experience to work in such a big capital city. Then for a few years I served in Islamabad before being posted in New Delhi, India.

“Washington has different dynamics and in New Delhi the dynamics was totally different. In Delhi I got a chance to work in challenging environment and I learned a lot there. KSA is my third diplomatic posting. This is a new job for me because previously I had political assignments. But I am really taking it very positively.”

She expressed happiness that due to her presence in consulate the accessibility of women has increased. She said my doors are open for everyone.

Answering a question, Fozia said, “I suggest and recommend in more female participation in diplomacy, and more female diplomats to be employed by the ministry in KSA.”

Being housewife and diplomat, she said, “Sometimes it is very difficult and challenging. Because both have separate demands. But with the Grace of Allah my family, particularly my husband (Ahmed), is very cooperative and supportive so I manage.”

She lauded Custodian of The Two Holy Mosques King Salman and Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman for their Vision 2030 and leadership of the Muslim Ummah.


March 21, 2018
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