I am Proud of our people for Their Positive Contributions to Norway - The Nordic Page

21.02.2012 - Oslo

Vedat Sevincer

I am Proud of our people for Their Positive Contributions to Norway

Ambassador of Pakistan to Norway talked to The Nordic Page about the relationship between Pakistan and Norway in various areas and issues of bilateral nature.

Photo : Paddy Napper Pakistan - ICC Women's Cricket team. Cricket is a national sport in Pakistan.

As a career diplomat from the Foreign Service of Pakistan, with over 29 years of service in Pakistan’s Missions abroad as well as in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Islamabad, Ambassador Syed Ishtiaq Hussain Andrabi has been appointed as Ambassador of Pakistan to Norway in October 2011. He has previously served as Ambassador of Pakistan to Argentina, with concurrent accreditation to Chile, Ecuador, Peru and Uruguay, from 2006 to 2009.

Also, Andrabi has served as Additional Foreign Secretary (Europe) in 2009, responsible for Pakistan’s bilateral relations with the countries of Europe and for multilateral engagements with European Union, NATO and the Commonwealth. In addition, he was Foreign Secretary (Administration) in 20010-11, in charge of human, financial and material resources of the Ministry.

His other appointments abroad included Counselor at Pakistan’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations at New York from 2001 to 2004, where he represented Pakistan in the Third Committee of the UN General Assembly and Commission on Human Rights, Committee on Social Development, Committee on Status of Women, and NGO Committee, and participated in inter-governmental negotiations and debates on issues of human rights, social development, humanitarian affairs and cultural matters.

Also the experienced diplomat served as Deputy High Commissioner of Pakistan at Colombo (2004-05), Deputy Head of Mission at Beirut (1996-98), Consul of Pakistan at Manchester (1992-95) and Third/Second Secretary Pakistan Embassy in Doha (1985-89).

I am really amazed how the diplomats handle with frequent transition from culture to culture, climate to climate? How do you personally deal with this constant and challenging adaptation period?

It is challenging for both me and my family. They are moving from country to country with different cultural backgrounds with me. For example, we were in New York for three and half years and moved to Sri Lanka, which is warmer and humid and has different cultural traditions. Then, as my first posting as Ambassador, I went to Latin America, which is another new cultural and social experience. I think the key is to keep a positive attitude toward the moving idea and changing environments. I love moving but my children might have to face more challenge as they have to adapt to different educational systems, and social and cultural environment, to leave their friends behind. For example my children have been shuttling between British, Pakistan and America systems of education, in UK, Lebanon, USA, Sri Lanka and Argentina.

Then, do you ever feel regretful for having such a life style and becoming a diplomat?

I like this profession. It was a deliberate move to be in this profession. I thoughtthe diplomatic service would give me to serve my country in a better way, which I always dreamed about. I thought it could give me chance to use my potential in political science in this way for the service of my country. I can say it was my dream job. If I had a chance to redesign my life, I would probably go for the same job again. It has shaped my life in a very positive way so I am very happy and never regret about it.

Many people think that being diplomat includes a routine life, is it a true perception?

All works somehow have a routine side. Diplomatic service is not different in that sense. But monotony is broken as you can move from one country to another. And every new posting is a new life experience.

How about your new experience here? How do you face the cold weather in Norway?

I have come here in October, and this period gave me chance to prepare for the winter. I am living in Holmenkollen and I feel I am prepared for the famous Norwegian winter. In my earlier days, in Manchester, I was used to shorter and darker days. I was in New York between 2002 and 2004. The ones who visited the city know well how it can be cold. Advantage of being in diplomatic service is to be in different parts of the world and you acclimatized somehow. Snow does not bother me. I am enjoying my winter here in fact.

I see that Pakistan government has appointed a very important and experienced diplomat like you to Norway. What does Norway mean for Pakistan?

Norway has always been a very important friend and development partner of Pakistan. They have assisted us in our socio economic development by giving financial and project assistance. For the last 40 years, a sizable number of Pakistani origin people have come to Norway and made Norway as their home country. The presence of these 35 thousand people makes a stronger bridge between two countries.

Also, both our countries’ perception on international issues is either similar or convergent. Another important issue is on the multilateral diplomacy. Norway and Pakistan both share common values in the international matters. In many international forums, we also physically sit next to Norway, which fits our diplomatic position towards Norway. So, we have a lot of reasons to have good relationship with Norway. Especially Norway‘s important role in international affairs supports this friendship in more positive way. It is a small county in size but the works in terms of conflict negotiation is huge and exemplary.

Did the sour relationship with NATO affect the ties with Norway as a member of the organization and active participant of war in Afghanistan?

That issue is totally different. Pakistan has always been in forefront of fight against the international terrorism. Therefore, we suffered a lot in human and material loses. 30,000 civilians killed in acts of terrorism and over 6000 soldiers, died fighting terrorism. Our economy suffered a loss of over 70 billion dollars in this effort. We have our sensitivity in this issue and we believe, we have paid more than our share as a frontline state against the terrorism. In the last incident, we were expecting the NATO and USA to apologize for our soldiers who were shot to death by the NATO soldiers. We expected a sign of regret.

Do you have any expectation in this ongoing costly fight against international terrorism from your ally and specifically Norway?

We are trying to fulfill our responsibility as member of international community. It should be known that it is not local or regional issue but a global international problem. And it is in the interest of everyone including Pakistan, Norway, USA, and China and so on. We have suffered heavy losses while fulfilling our international responsibility in this global problem. Meanwhile, our economy was affected negatively. We expect Norway and powerful states to use their economic power to help us to rebuild our economy.The best way to help us to do this is to give us the market access, help us acquiring cheap energy in Pakistan, as Pakistani an Energy deficient country. Lack of energy is a major factor for slow down of our economy. We need preprential treatment in our trade. At the end of the day, economy makes the country strong and helps us to deal with the social dimensions of the unemployed youths’ problems. It is only possible by building our economy and creating job opportunities. We request Norway and other NATO allies not to abandon Afghanistan after withdrawal of NATO troops 2014. We hope that in the following years the war in Afghanistan will end and foreign troops will withdraw then Taliban-like groups would have no reason to continue fighting. When that happens, Pakistan and the region will be able to utilize their potential for social and economic development.

Pakistan is located in a very strategic area between Central Asia, South Asia and the Gulf. We can be energy corridor and hub of commercial transportation. . We would like Norway, as a technologically developed state, to come and invest in Pakistan. To bring new technology and then we can create market economy and more jobs to safeguard the next generation from extremism. Actually, Norway is no stranger in the Pakistani market. Telenor is one of the largest telecommunication companies in our country with 2 billion US Dollars investment. Both Telenor and some other Norwegian companies have invested in Pakistan successfully even in most difficult times. It shows that Pakistan has a great potential for investors. In fact terrorism breeds when there is economic deprivation, these kinds of investments help us to address the grass roots of extremism and terrorism better.

^{In
fact terrorism breeds when there is economic deprivation, these kinds of
investments help us to address the grass roots of extremism and terrorism
better.}

What kinds of investment areas are available in your country?

Pakistan is one of the most investment friendly countries providing a diversified economic opportunity in our region. First of all, the location of the country can be utilized very well. Energy infrastructure is a very good option for investors. Also Pakistan has alot of hydro carbon and mineral resources such as copper and gold. We are also very close to Gulf region, where there is a huge consumption potential. Raw food and food processing is another potentially profitable investment area. Moreover, thinking of the large and young population, consumer electronics is a promising field of investment.

Does the Pakistani Diaspora in Norway have any contribution to this economic reconstruction?

They are, first of all, to contribute totheir host countries. They are already serving this mission with a lot of skilled engineers, doctors and hard working laborers here to meet the needs of Norway.. They have at the same time maintained ties with Pakistan; they made investments and brought new technologies. They have made important contributions to our country. We are grateful and proud of what Pakistani people do for being good representative of Pakistan with their positive contributions to Norway. They are the real ambassador of Pakistan. Strong Pakistani diaspora living in Norway are acting as ambassadors of good will for both countries.

Pakistan is an exemplary country in terms of female participation in politic. But at the same time, gender issue is debated very often. How do you explain it?

This misconception stems from both lack of proper knowledge on our country and Pakistan’s insufficient representation itself. Pakistani women had right to vote from the very beginning. One of our first ambassadors was a lady back in late 1950s. She was ambassador to many important countries. We had also some female ministers. Right now, as you mentioned, Benazir Bhutto was the first female prime minister for two terms at a time when many European countries did not have women as head of governess. Right now the speaker of the Pakistan National Assembly and our Foreign Ministers are women. We have also had female ministers and judges in Supreme Court at top positions. 33 percent of members of parliament are women. 15 of around 90 diplomatic missions are headed by women Ambassadors. In the education, women have also important roles. In many households, women work. The literacy level is almost the same as men. The women are traditionally encouraged to take part in socioeconomic life either with their head cover or without it. Of course we have problems in some communities but in most of Pakistan, women are empowered to take part in social life.

You have currently had a very young female Foreign minister. How is it working with a female minister?

We did not find her a stranger. Before her appointment as Foregin Minister, she was Minister for Finance and Economic Affairs for many years. She has had already a successful track record at a relatively young age. I think she comes with leadership qualities and is well educated. So, it is a great asset for us.

If we come back to you again; in your short stay, is there anything which amazed you about Norway?

It made me very happy the way Norwegians love the nature and Norway preserves its nature so well. Also, winter is usually a bother in many countries, but here people see it as blessing and they start to be worried when the winter does not come. Secondly, the sense of responsibility among the people and peace loving nature of the people impresses me. I chose to come Norway on purpose, as I really would like to learn from this exemplary country’s successful practices in good governance, human rights and many other areas of social welfare.

About Ambassador Syed Ishtiaq Hussain Andrabi holds Masters Degree in Political Science from Punjab University, Lahore and Diploma in Arabic Language and Middle Eastern Studies from American University Cairo (Egypt) and he is married with a daughter and a son who studied and are living in the USA.

Pakistan's Young Female Foreign Minister: An Extra Ordinary Face in the International Arena

Photo : World Economic Forum Hina Rabbani Khar, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan at the Annual Meeting 2012 of the World Economic Forum in Davos

Hina Rabbani Khar (1977) is the Foreign Minister of Pakistan. Appointed in July 2011, she is the first female and the youngest person to ever head Pakistani's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

She was elected to the National Assembly in both 2002 and 2008 and was Minister of State for Finance and Economic Affairs between 2008 and 2011.

Khar was appointed Minister of State for Foreign Affairs—the deputy head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs—on 11 February 2011, as part of Gillani's cabinet reshuffle. After Shah Mehmood Qureshi's resignation as Foreign Minister, she became acting Minister of Foreign Affairs on 13 February 2011. She was approved as Foreign Minister on 18 July and was sworn-in on 19 July, becoming the youngest and first female Minister of Foreign Affairs. President Asif Ali Zardari, who succeeded Musharraf in 2008, said the appointment was "a demonstration of the government's commitment to bring women into the mainstream of national life".

Shortly after her appointment, she visited India and held peace talks with her Indian counterpart, Somanahalli Mallaiah Krishna. Relations between the two countries had been suspended following the 2008 Mumbai attacks, resuming in February 2011. The Indian media reported extensively on her fashion and appearance—the Birkin bag, the sunglasses, the Jimmy Choo stilettos and the pearl necklaces, for example. She held talks with separatist leaders of Kashmir before meeting Indian government representatives, a decision which was criticised by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the main opposition party of India, who said it was a breach of protocol and demanded an inquiry into the matter.

About Pakistan

Pakistan displays some of Asia’s most magnificent landscapes as it stretches from the Arabian Sea, its southern border, to some of the world’s most spectacular mountain ranges in the north. Pakistan is also home to sites that date back to word’s earliest settlements rivaling those of ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia.

The country has a total area of 796,095 sq km and is nearly four times the size of the United Kingdom. From Gwadar Bay in it’s south-eastern corner, the country extends more than 1,800 km to the Khunjerab Pass on China’s border.