ISLAMABAD: Pakistan origin British diplomat Fouzia Younis, the head of communications and public diplomacy at the British High Commission in Islamabad, has been announced as her country's consul general in Toronto, the first British Muslim woman appointed to head a UK diplomatic mission.

Younis, whose parents are from Pakistan, has significant experience of building international relationships in the Middle East and South Asia, and managing, coaching and developing multicultural and diverse teams. Until March 2020, she was also the co-chair of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic Network (BAME) leading a global network of over 250 staff.

“Privileged to be appointed as His Majesty's British Consul General to Toronto,” Younis wrote on Twitter.

“Special moment as we think it's the 1st time (but don't have data) that  a British Muslim woman has been appointed as Head of a UK Diplomatic Post. I won’t be the last.”

Younis thanked her father “who used to drop me at Digbeth Coach Station at 4am so I could get to my work interviews.”

She also paid tribute to her late mother who “stood up for 18 year old me to go to uni & waited at bus stops to walk me home through dark streets.”

In a previous Twitter post in May last year, Younis announced that her mother had passed away from COVID-19, paying tribute to a woman who never went to school herself but raised four successful children, including an award-winning lawyer, a businessman and a career diplomat. 

“To the girls who look like me,  who are battling prejudice, racism & sexism from within communities & outside, who are told they can't do it, or that they don't sound or look the part. Don't let anyone dim your power.  You can change the world.”

ISLAMABAD: President Arif Alvi wrote a letter to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday, expressing concern over recent political developments in the country while mentioning the “glaring violation” of the fundamental rights of opposition activists and media personnel to stifle dissenting voices in Pakistan. 

Alvi’s letter comes at a time when the government has registered a slew of cases against former Prime Minister Imran Khan and leaders of his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party. Khan has also criticized the police and other law-enforcing agencies for abducting and torturing his party supporters and charging them with terrorism and sedition. 

The president, a close Khan ally, quoted various constitutional provisions related to freedom of speech, dignity of citizens, and the right to fair trial in his letter, adding that their spirit and mandate had been “clearly transgressed.” 

“Events have taken place in the recent past highlighted by the print, electronic and social media about glaring violations of Fundamental and Human Rights that need to be brought to your notice to ensure remedial measures and preventive action,” he said. 

“Multiple fake and frivolous cases have been registered against politicians, workers, journalists and media persons,” he added. “Houses of political workers have been raided and citizens abducted without warrants and lawful justification.” 

The president said such incidents had tarnished the image of the country, adding they could have serious repercussions for the future of democracy and the state of human rights in Pakistan. 

He also mentioned the Election Commission of Pakistan’s decision to postpone the Punjab polls from April 30 to October 8 in a recent proclamation while describing it as a “flagrant violation of the Constitution ... by the executive authorities and government departments.” 

Alvi said Article 220 of the Constitution required state institutions to help the election commission hold free and fair polls, though the relevant departments had seemingly failed to extend such cooperation. 

He also blamed the prime minister for not holding any meaningful consultation with him over policy issues. 

“The Prime Minister, being head of Government, is responsible for the safeguard of Human Rights as well as Fundamental Rights of every citizen of Pakistan as enshrined in the Constitution,” he said. 

The president added: “It is further emphasized that all concerned executive authorities of Federal and Provincial Governments should be directed to refrain from abuse of Human Rights and also to assist the [Election Commission of Pakistan] to hold general elections in provinces of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, within the timeframe in compliance of Supreme Court’s Order dated 1st March, 2023, to avoid further complications including Contempt of Court.”