'It was time to move on': Maleeha Lodhi bids farewell to UN role

Says 'fortunate' tenure as Pakistan's permanent representative at UN 'ended on a high after PM visit'

Seasoned diplomat Maleeha Lodhi said on Monday that it was "time to move on" after being replaced as Pakistan's voice at the United Nations.

"I am fortunate it’s on a high note after a successful visit by the PM," Lodhi said on Twitter after the government announced that Munir Akram would be filling in her shoes as the country's permanent representative to the UN.

It was time to move on and I am fortunate it’s on a high note after a successful visit by the PM

— Maleeha Lodhi (@LodhiMaleeha) September 30, 2019

Lodhi said she had indicated her desire to move on, adding that, "I will of course continue to serve my country."

I had indicated I wanted to move on. I will of course continue to serve my country

— Maleeha Lodhi (@LodhiMaleeha) September 30, 2019

The former UN envoy said she was humbled by the high praise she garnered after Prime Minister Imran Khan's address at the United Nations General Assembly session on September 27.

I am humbled by the appreciation I have received for the PM’s visit and the support I have also received over the years. I wish my successor Munir Akram the best of luck!-2

— Maleeha Lodhi (@LodhiMaleeha) September 30, 2019

Munir Akram replaces Maleeha Lodhi as Pakistan's ambassador to UN

She thanked everyone for the support she has received over the years and wished her successor the best of luck.

"The support I have also received over the years. I wish my successor Munir Akram the best of luck," she tweeted.

"It has been an honour to serve the country and I am grateful for  the opportunity to do so for over four years. Representing Pakistan at the world’s most important multilateral forum was a great privilege. I had planned to move on after UNGA following a successful visit by the PM."

It has been an honour to serve the country & am grateful for the opportunity to do so for over four years. Representing Pakistan at the world’s most important multilateral forum was a great privilege. I had planned to move on after UNGA following a successful visit by the PM -1

— Maleeha Lodhi (@LodhiMaleeha) September 30, 2019

Twitterati questions move

The government's decision to replace her was not well received by Twitterati as users on the micro-blogging site questioned the decision.

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Senator Sherry Rehman cast doubt over the decision, saying,"If the PM's visit was such a success why remove the person responsible for it?"

Yes. If the visit was such a success why remove the person responsible for it? https://t.co/iB6grxi2lw

— SenatorSherryRehman (@sherryrehman) September 30, 2019

Meanwhile, analyst Zahid Hussain deemed its as a "shocking", saying Lodhi had done a great job and served Pakistan well.

Its shocking. She has done great job and served Pakistan well. Pity this https://t.co/biFylxJjqU major reshuffle, Munir Akram to replace Maleeha Lodhi as Pakistan's envoy to UN
https://t.co/Cse1Iyb7VW

— zahid Hussain (@hidhussain) September 30, 2019