Dr Maleeha Lodhi, Pakistan's High Commissioner to the UK, was conferred an honorary fellowship by the London School of Economics and Political Science at the annual commencement ceremony at the university here late Thursday.
Maleeha received this rare honour by the university from where she obtained her B.Sc (Econ) and Ph.D. in the packed auditorium of the LSE.
She was one of eight people who were made an Honorary Fellow by the LSE.
The Vice-chancellor Bernard Asher conferred the honour at the ceremony, attended by students, faculty as well as the director of the LSE, one of the most prestigious educational institutions in the world.
The citation that was read out for Dr Maleeha Lodhi described her as "a redoubtable woman who has excelled in three careers so far": academia, journalism and diplomacy. "The School" the citation says, "is proud of its connection with her," and "in recognition of her high achievements," was admitting her to the Honorary Fellowship of the LSE.
The citation also says, "Maleeha is one of a number of striking women who have risen to prominence in South Asia. It is remarkable how she has combined her talents with a great deal of determination and hard work in order to make a contribution to the public welfare of her country."
The college's citation further says that "She presents a very positive role model to her sister citizens of Pakistan and more widely."
The citation traces her career from her schooling in Lahore and Rawalpindi to her studies for a B.Sc (Econ) at the LSE. Having excelled in her undergraduate studies she went on to study for a doctorate at the LSE.
After obtaining her Ph.D. she went on to teach Political Sociology at the LSE. "The students on the programme were each able to appreciate Maleeha's intellectual capabilities. "And as issues were debated in the course relating to the making and unmaking of revolutions and social movements and the inter penetration of religion and politics "little did we know that she would actually use the knowledge so acquired at the highest level of diplomacy."
The citation recalls that on her return to Pakistan when she embarked on a career in journalism she soon also made her mark. She helped found The News, serving as its first editor for its first three years. During this time she also found time to author two books, one of which "Pakistan's Encounter with Democracy" reflected "her longstanding commitment to the principles of liberal democracy and human rights."
The title of her other published work in the 1990s, "The External Dimension" presaged her next change of career as she was appointed Pakistan's Ambassador to the US, serving initially from 1994 to 1997.
Shortly after her appointment Time magazine identified her as one of the world's 100 pacesetters. "Certainly" remarks the citation," her diplomatic career over the last decade has placed her at the centre of affairs in one of the more turbulent and contested corners of the world. Reappointed Ambassador to Washing-ton in 1999, she "set the pace" in this extremely important post for 3 years of extraordinary and extraordinarily difficult change."
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