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Friday, March 15, 2024

British Pakistani diplomat becomes first Muslim woman to head UK diplomatic mission

British Pakistani diplomat Fouzia Younis has been appointed as His Majesty's British Consul General to Toronto, making her the first British Muslim woman appointed to head a UK diplomatic mission.

In a proud moment for Pakistan, British Pakistani diplomat Fouzia Younis has been appointed as His Majesty’s British Consul General to Toronto, making her the first British Muslim woman appointed to head a UK diplomatic mission.

Fouzia Younis, who is currently in Islamabad working as a senior British diplomat, will be leaving for Canada soon to take up her new role.

While making the announcement of her appointment on Twitter, Fouzia Younis paid tribute to her father, who used to drop her at the coach station at 4 am for her work interviews, and her late mother, who supported her decision to go to university and would walk her home through the dark streets of Birmingham.

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“Privileged to be appointed as His Majesty’s British Consul General to Toronto. Special moment as we think it is the first 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,” Fouzia Younis said on Twitter.

Fouzia Younis, whose parents are from Pakistan, has significant experience in building international relationships in the Middle East and South Asia and managing, coaching, and developing multicultural and diverse teams.

She made history first when she was appointed director of communications at the British High Commission in Islamabad over three years ago — becoming the first Pakistani-origin diplomat to have been appointed in this role.

She was the communication director for the Pakistan Network; and previously the co-chair of the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) Race Network leading a global network of over 300 staff.

Her previous diplomatic assignments have included: leading UK strategic efforts across the Gulf Cooperation Council region; supporting UK’s security and humanitarian efforts in Bangladesh; and serving in Sri Lanka during the conflict period.

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