United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has paid tribute to Maleeha Lodhi, Pakistan's outgoing Permanent Representative to the United Nations, for her efforts to make her country proud. The UN Secretary-General has expressed his "gratitude and admiration" for Maleeha Lodhi during her farewell call on him.

Expressing his sadness over the completion of Maleeha's eventful tenure, Guterres said, "You represented the country in a remarkable way ... you were engaged in all issues at the UN, not just those involving Pakistan. That's how you elevated the profile of Pakistan here."

Maleeha Lodhi tweeted on Saturday, "In my farewell call on UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres I thanked him for the close cooperation that the Pakistan Mission in NY had with him and his office during my tenure."

"It's challenging for a diplomat but you managed it so well. Your country should be proud of your work," UN chief added.

During a meeting, Ambassador Lodhi briefed the secretary-general on the grim situation in Indian Occupied Kashmir that continues to pose a threat to peace and security.

Ambassador Lodhi also underlined Pakistan's vision for peace in the neighbourhood. She said that this was evident from Pakistan's efforts to facilitate the Afghan peace process and the role the Prime Minister Imran Khan was playing to defuse tensions between Saudi Arabia and Iran.

Maleeha Lodhi is stepping down on October 31 after leading the Pakistan Mission to the UN, which she also calls the voice of Kashmir, for four and a half years.

Copyright Independent News Pakistan, 2019