Astute diplomatic moves and intensive networking with the Pakistani diaspora became potent tools for Islamabad's envoy in London to make her mark and achieve some daunting targets in her first year as High Commissioner, said British MPs and community leaders here on Sunday.
"She has made many friends in the Houses of Commons and Lords and within the British government and has left her mark. She has been very effective and a strong voice for Pakistan," British MP Mohammad Sarwar said while commenting on her completion of one year.
Dr Maleeha Lodhi has spent the past year in a new and challenging assignment of representing her country in one of the most important capitals of the world, London, where she has already proved her credentials as a skilful diplomat.
Describing her as "an excellent High Commissioner" Sarwar said that Maleeha "has represented Pakistan very well, and I hope during her tenure bilateral relations go from strength to strength".
She proved up to the task in securing Pakistan's reinstatement in the British Commonwealth of Nations in May which involved her in a lot of patient, behind-the-scene diplomacy.
Pakistan's return to Commonwealth was a high profile development for her because it was her deft moves which brought the support necessary to reinstate Pakistan. "She mobilised politicians, businessmen and everybody here to ensure that Pakistan's suspension from the Commonwealth was lifted and she deserves credit for that," said Sarwar.
Another Labour MP, Khalid Mahmood, spoke appreciatively of Maleeha and said: "She has made a huge difference in representing Pakistan, particularly by making contacts with parliamentarians, the business community and even more importantly with the media to give a more balanced view of Pakistan." He hoped she would "continue in the same vein," in the days ahead.
Khalid said she has "worked very hard to achieve the goal of re-admission" of Pakistan into the Commonwealth and securing ratification of the Third Generation agreement with the European Union.
Dr Lodhi's relentless efforts have been acknowledged both by overseas Pakistanis here and by independent observers.
Deputy Chairman of Pakistan-Britain Trade and Investment Forum and leading businessman Jahangir said she provided "strong leadership, performance-oriented administration and successful diplomacy."
In its survey about the endeavours of London-based diplomats to use their communities as "a foreign policy resource," the respected British magazine "Diplomat" in a recent issue said: "The Pakistani diaspora across Britain continue lobbying for their country as they proved their mettle in garnering support for ratification of the trade agreement from the European Parliament and lifting the Commonwealth's suspension from Islamabad." It quoted Maleeha as an authoritative voice in how to mobilise the expatriate community.
Setting her sights on adding content to economic ties between Pakistan and Britain, she persuaded London to restore the Export Credit Guarantee (ECGD) to Pakistan after a gap of seven years--a decision which is expected to help encourage foreign investment in the country.
Maleeha "has been of great financial and economic benefit to Pakistan as she was the architect of organising the first ever Pakistan Trade and Investment Conference in London in May 2004," said Jahangir. The conference was attended by two federal ministers from Pakistan which indicated the resolve of Islamabad to expand relations with Britain, he said.
"It is a pride and joy for the Pakistani community in the UK to have a High Commissioner of such intellectual calibre," said Jahangir.
It was at this conference where the then British Minister for Trade and Investment Mike O' Brien announced ECGD cover for Pakistan.
Britain today is the number one foreign investor and fourth largest trading partner of Islamabad while three UK trade missions will be visiting Pakistan in near future.
The British government would be giving about 70 million pounds sterling in overseas aid to Pakistan which is four times the amount given four years ago. All this indicates expanding commercial and assistance ties between the two countries.
Jahangir said that Maleeha's "regular interaction both with the business community and the British government, and particularly her speeches on terrorism and good governance around the country, have substantially helped to improve Pakistan's image."
She adopted a proactive approach to portray an enlightened image of the country in the Western media. She made relentless appearances on BBC, CNN, Sky and spoke frequently on radio and gave many interviews to many magazines and newspapers to give Pakistan's viewpoint. In addition, she has spoken at every think tank.
On Pakistan's trade and co-operation agreement with the European Parliament in April this year, for the first time she systematically mobilised British-Pakistani community to garner the support of British members of the European Parliament (MEPs) for Pakistan.
"Recently her diaspora lobbied MEPs across Europe to ratify a Pakistan EU trade agreement with phenomenal success," said Diplomat magazine, recognising Maleeha's efforts in this regard.
Chairman, National Association of British Pakistanis, Khurshid Ahmad said: "She has been able to use the considerable political influence of the community in promoting Pakistan's interests."
"The National Association of British Pakistanis is proud of her achievements and it has been a pleasure working with her," he said.
When she took charge last September, Dr Lodhi set out various priorities which included improving the image of the country, expansion of Pak-UK bilateral relations and upgrading the delivery of services to the expatriate community.
She also set as her objectives building better understanding of Pakistan's perspectives in the media and engaging in cultural diplomacy to showcase Pakistan's rich cultural and historical heritage.
Islamabad's first woman envoy earned another distinction when she joined the ranks of respected scholars this year when the prestigious London School of Economics made her an Honorary Fellow at a glittering ceremony at its premises.
Her name was also included in the latest edition of Asian WHO's WHO for her contribution to the intellectual, social and cultural life of Britain.
A marked improvement in services and regular interaction with the overseas community here was another area where she made a difference.
In a clear departure from the traditional way of providing consular services, Maleeha started special surgeries across the UK to take the facility to the doorsteps of expatriates.
This won her kudos from the diaspora. Travelling across the UK within days of arriving here she mobilised the community, especially the second and third generation Pakistanis.
During her short period of one year she "has rendered immense services to the local Pakistani community by addressing their basic needs and requirements, modernising all essential departments of the embassy particularly passport, visas and trade," said Jahangir.
Besides, a very useful 20-page booklet 'Pakistan' was launched by her, on Pakistan Day, to address the frequent and recurrent queries of overseas Pakistanis regarding National Identity Cards for Overseas Pakistanis, visa, passport and baggage rules. Her efforts convinced Nadra to open Swift Centres in London and Birmingham to accelerate the process of issuance of NICOP.
Since she came here, the High Commission has reduced the visa fee, began emergency visa service at weekends, set up weekly and daily help line, established separate counters for senior citizens and women in the Consular Sections and made available legal guidance and information on legal assistance.
"I have been a keen observer of developments in the High Commission and feel that credit goes to Dr Lodhi's structured and professional approach to the High Commission's undertakings," said M.I Khokhar, a prominent Pakistani businessman.