Woman diplomat becomes Pakistan's first blind civil servant to address UNGA

Saima Saleem, counsellor at the Permanent Mission of Pakistan to the United Nations, speaks during a United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) session in New York on September 25, 2021. (Photo courtesy: @PakistanPR_UN/Twitter)
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Updated 26 September 2021
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Woman diplomat becomes Pakistan's first blind civil servant to address UNGA

  • Saima Saleem serves counsellor at the Permanent Mission of Pakistan to the United Nations
  • She is an international humanitarian law graduate of the Geneva Academy

ISLAMABAD: Saima Saleem, counsellor at the Permanent Mission of Pakistan to the United Nations, has become the first blind Pakistani civil servant to address the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

A video shared by the Permanent Mission of Pakistan to the UN shows Saleem reading her speech in written in Braille during a UNGA session on Saturday. Saleem was responding to an Indian delegate, reiterating Pakistan's position in support of the UN-warranted right to self-determination of Kashmiri people.

 

 

Her performance drew praises from Pakistan's top politicians.

"Not only I but the nation is very proud of her," President Dr. Arif Alvi said in a tweet.

 

 

Pakistan's permanent representative to the United Nations, Munir Akram, congratulated Saleem "for successfully putting forward Pakistan's position."

 

 

Ministers also took to social media to congratulate the 37-year-old diplomat.

"She is a top notch diplomat who outshines so many others," Human Rights Minister Shireen Mazari said.

 

 

"Saima is visually impaired but way she spoke seems her heart can see everything, you have made us proud," Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry tweeted.

 

 

Saleem, a career diplomat, is an international humanitarian law graduate of the Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights, and holds a master's degree in English literature from the Kinnaird College For Women University.


Saudi company eyes multi-sector projects in Pakistan worth $200 million each — ministry

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Saudi company eyes multi-sector projects in Pakistan worth $200 million each — ministry

  • Delegation from Saudi firm Kyan explores investment in energy, mining, IT and agriculture
  • Talks come amid Pakistan’s push to attract Gulf capital and boost foreign investment inflows

ISLAMABAD: A Saudi company is exploring potential multi-sector investment projects in Pakistan with an estimated minimum value of $200 million per scheme, Pakistan’s ministry of information said on Wednesday.

The development comes as Pakistan seeks to attract increased foreign direct investment from Gulf countries, particularly Saudi Arabia, as part of efforts to stabilize its economy, improve investor confidence and expand industrial capacity. Saudi Arabia has in recent years pledged billions of dollars in potential investments across Pakistan’s mining, energy and infrastructure sectors, though several projects remain at exploratory or negotiation stages.

According to the ministry of Information, a delegation from Saudi firm Kyan visited Islamabad and expressed interest in investing in sectors including energy, mining, information technology, agriculture and livestock. The delegation participated in the “Indus AI Week” organized by the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication and held meetings with Federal Minister for Board of Investment Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh.

“The delegation shared proposals for various potential projects with an estimated minimum investment of USD 200 million for each project and also conveyed their interest in bringing additional Saudi investors to Pakistan,” the information ministry said. 

Welcoming the delegation, Sheikh highlighted Pakistan’s market size and geographic position.

“With a population of over 250 million, Pakistan represents a large and dynamic market,” the minister said, adding that the country’s location provides access to landlocked Central Asian states, making it an attractive hub for regional trade and investment.

The ministry statement said the Board of Investment offered facilitation through its Business Facilitation Center, which provides a single-window mechanism for investor approvals and coordination. Sheikh also assured the delegation of support in arranging meetings with the business community and visits to Special Economic Zones, where incentives include income tax and import duty exemptions.

The minister referred to recent engagements between Pakistani and Saudi officials and reiterated that both countries could work to unlock new avenues of bilateral investment and economic cooperation, according to the statement.

Saudi Arabia is among Pakistan’s largest sources of worker remittances and has emerged as a key partner in Islamabad’s efforts to secure external financing and long-term investment commitments in recent years.