Efforts on to make historic reforms in FO: Qureshi

Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi has said that the government is making efforts to bring historic reforms in the Foreign Office with a view to make it more proactive institution. The foreign minister was speaking at an event in the Foreign Office to bid a farewell to the Special Secretary Shah Jamal who got retired on Wednesday. He said that Pakistan is facing various challenges and entire team of the Foreign Office is working proactively to deal with these.
He said that the current government is making efforts to bring exemplary and historic reforms in the Foreign Office to make it further proactive in dealing with the challenges and further improve its performance. The newly-appointed Foreign Secretary Sohail Mahmood, who formally assumed his office on Wednesday, called on the foreign minister. During the meeting, the foreign minister and the new foreign secretary discussed different contours of the foreign policy, according to a statement of the Foreign Office. Mahmood assumed his office after the retirement of his predecessor Tehmina Janjua.
The foreign minister also congratulated Mahmood on assuming the charge as the foreign secretary and stated that he (Mahmood) is a seasoned and experienced diplomat with vast experience of serving at important positions.
In his remarks, Mahmood said that he would make utmost efforts to perform his duties to the best of his capabilities to serve Pakistan's interest. Mahmood, who was currently Pakistan's high commissioner in New Delhi, served in important world capitals including as ambassador of Pakistan to Turkey, with concurrent accreditation to Macedonia and Kosovo [2015-2017], Ambassador to Thailand and Permanent Representative to UNESCAP, Bangkok [2009-2013], and as Political Coordinator for Pakistan's delegation to UN Security Council, New York [2003-2004].
At the headquarters in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mahmood served as additional secretary (Afghanistan/West Asia) from 2013-15, director general (America) from 2005-2008 and director general (foreign secretary office) 2009 (Jan-Oct).
Earlier, the retiring Foreign Secretary Janjua also called on Qureshi. The foreign minister lauded the services of Tehmina Janjua, saying that her services for the country would be remembered for long. Qureshi further said that Janjua was a competent and experienced foreign secretary. He further said that Janjua is an inspiration for all the women in the country. Janjua thanked the foreign minister for the complements.