ISLAMABAD, 19 June — Pakistan’s longest serving ambassador in Washington Dr. Maleeha Lodhi will relinquish charge on Aug. 1. She will be succeeded by Pakistan’s former ambassador to India Ashraf Jehangir Qazi. Islamabad will shortly be seeking clearance from Washington for Qazi’s posting there. President Gen. Pervez Musharraf had earlier decided to send Qazi as a special envoy. However after he had been selected to succeed Maleeha, the plan to send him as special envoy was scrapped.
Meanwhile Maleeha leaves a mark of excellence as she vacates what is undoubtedly Pakistan’s prized diplomatic posting. Having served in Washington twice as ambassador, her cumulative two-time position has earned her the distinction of being Pakistan’s longest serving ambassador in Washington. She successfully saw Pakistan through difficult periods including the advent of military rule in October 1999, its highly controversial support for the Taleban, the Indian diplomatic onslaught against Pakistan under the pretext of anti-terrorism, deteriorating Pakistan-India ties and the challenges in the post Sept. 11 period. Qazi has served as ambassador in key capitals including Moscow and Beijing.
Qazi is a well-rounded personality with interests ranging from history, philosophy to art and music. In Delhi his success lay in tiding over the worst phase of Pakistan-India relations and through his astute and agile diplomacy contribute to averting war.
He kept the channels of communications open with key ministers including India’s Home Minister L.K. Advani which finally helped in putting together the Agra Summit. Qazi’s personal popularity and decency could be gauged from the fact that when the Indian government decided he leave Delhi Qazi opted to give a farewell reception for “my friends among the Indian people.”
His position was vindicated as the Indians, embarrassed by their government’s decision to send a man they all so deeply respected, chose to attend the reception. This perhaps happened despite the Indian government’s wish to the contrary.
In Delhi, Qazi’s replacement has still not been finalized. The Foreign Office has talked of posting the current Additional Secretary Kamran Niaz but the clearance from the chief executive’s secretariat has yet to come.
Meanwhile for Washington Qazi has opted for his number two. Akbarzeb, his political counselor in Delhi for two years will likely be cleared by the government to serve in Washington as the Deputy Chief of Mission once Qazi takes over as ambassador. An old hand in Washington, in the early nineties, Akbarzeb served there as a Political Secretary.
Currently Akbarzeb is serving in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as Director General Europe. Earlier he had a brief stint at the chief executive’s secretariat.
In appointing Qazi to Washington Pakistan will make the best decision. In addition to his diplomatic skills Qazi’s personality traits of being accessible, dignified and charming will endear him at the Hill, in the executive and among the Washington press corps.
