'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'
Career diplomat Maleeha Lodhi. PHOTO: TWITTER
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.
Lodhi said she had indicated her desire to move on, adding that, "I will of course continue to serve my country."
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.
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."
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?"
Meanwhile, analyst Zahid Hussain deemed its as a "shocking", saying Lodhi had done a great job and served Pakistan well.
"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.
Lodhi said she had indicated her desire to move on, adding that, "I will of course continue to serve my country."
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.
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."
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?"
Meanwhile, analyst Zahid Hussain deemed its as a "shocking", saying Lodhi had done a great job and served Pakistan well.