Interview with Mumtaz Zahra Baloch

What was the motivation behind you joining the Foreign Service as not many women in
Pakistan are a part of it, especially in significant positions?
First, I should clarify that now many women are joining to the Foreign Service. This is now a
very popular profession among women of Pakistan. When I joined the service, of course, it
wasn’t as popular. But still I wasn’t the first woman. There have been many role models in the
service before me. I always had an interest in international politics and the developments
happening around us even though I was studying Physics. I was interested in international
politics because I saw my family discuss these issues as well. So I became interested in joining
the diplomatic service. One day I asked my father how to become a diplomat. He said there is a
very difficult exam that I would have to take. That was the first time I heard about the Central
Superior Services (CSS) exam; as no one in my family was in government service.
What do you think is the reason behind Foreign Service becoming popular amongst women
in Pakistan?
It’s because young women and girls now have more awareness and access to information about
women diplomats so that of course is encouraging. When I decided to sit for the exam, I was
frankly not aware of a single woman officer in the Foreign Office, nor any woman ambassador.
Actually, I didn’t even know any female diplomat from any country. But once I joined the
Foreign Service, I realized there were many other women – my seniors over here, doing a great
job. But we weren’t aware of their tremendous contributions as at the time. We didnt have access
to information as today and access to the internet was limited
But it’s still a man’s world?
Well, it was.
So how did you maneuver through it?
Yes, but one thing I must mention is that in this service, men and women are appreciated for
their hard work and we don’t distinguish between genders. I had male colleagues here who
encouraged me and appreciated my hard work. This is an environment in which I grew
professionally
Perhaps the first female civil servant might have faced some challenges, navigating in the man’s
world. When I came in, there were many women who had traversed this path and were already
ambassadors. So, I wasn’t really unique in that sense.
It is usually heard of that in countries like Russia, China, India and Pakistan media is
relatively more hostile to politicians and diplomats. Do you agree with that? How do you
handle the media when they are that way at any instance?
As a spokesperson?
Yes, as a spokesperson.
I have developed a very good rapport with media as a spokesperson. I understood at the very
beginning that they are here to do their job and they understood that I’m here to do my job. My
job is to communicate government policy and it is their job to seek information and hold
government to account. Once you realize and respect each other’s job it becomes easier to
communicate and that is why I had a good time as a spokesperson communicating the
government’s policy with the media. They were very respectful while of course asking tough
questions, which is their job. Therefore, I took it in that stride and prepare information to share
the best way one could. But, particularly, to share information the Government of Pakistan’s
policy on foreign matters. Since my job is not to be a media person and share breaking news. My
job is to share the government’s perspective.
So, the media and I found a good balance and a relationship built on mutual respect.
According to you, what was your greatest achievement and then the toughest part while
serving?
My job as spokesperson was somewhat challenging because it was a 24/7 job. Because of the
electronic and social media one cannot switch off. There is always something happening. I found
it difficult to manage time; to find time for myself, my family while also doing justice to this
work. I must say, without the support of my husband this would not have been possible.
Politically, Ms. Spokesperson, were you faced with a difficult situation?
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs prides itself in being an apolitical and non-partisan institution.
We make every effort to ensure that we don’t engage in political affairs and take any measures
which are partisan. That is how my predecessors did it and that is how I did. But at the same time
people don’t understand that we are representing Pakistan as a country when it is under
international criticism. Sometimes, those who don’t understand our work don’t appreciate our
stance. And they sometimes question the statements that the foreign office issues. I always invite
them to look at our statements from the perspective of us being representatives of Pakistan and
the fact we are the spokespersons of Pakistan, not of any political party.
We represent all of you.
What about the most rewarding part of this job?
I have been fortunate that my work was recognised and appreciated by my colleagues. I cannot
say one thing was better than the other. But still the most rewarding part was when I was the
Director of Foreign Service Academy and I was involved with training of young diplomats. Like
any teacher, when you are a teacher you want your students to do better than you. That is how I
see people who I have trained, not only at Foreign Service Academy but throughout my career. I
want them to excel in this profession and in this world and do better than how I performed. I take
great pride when they succeed in their careers.
When the trainees or future diplomats come to the Academy for training, what are the
three things that come to mind that they should follow?
First of all, it is important for them to know that there is no short cut to success. In today’s world
of instant gratification one thinks they can succeed overnight. However, it is a long journey of
hard work. The second thing we tell our diplomats is that they are the representatives of the
country. So, their personal behavior, the way they engage with individuals outside that should
reflect best possible face of Pakistan. Therefore, wherever they go they have this vision in mind.
Lastly, what any foreign service officer should do is to constantly educate themselves, read
books, learn about new things and new cultures. What you get from reading books you cannot
get from any social media platform. They must also read writings of individuals with whom they
have a difference of opinion because you have to understand their perspective as well to
negotiate with them.
You mentioned earlier on that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is non-partisan. Usually,
there is a negative connotation attached with the word ‘diplomatic’ or ‘neutral’. What do
you have to say about that?
I don’t know why there is a negative connotation attached to that. The reality is that Foreign
Service not just of Pakistan but of any country is the country’s first line of defense. Where
diplomacy fails, wars break out. When you want to end a war you need diplomacy to find
solutions and form agreements. Diplomacy is critical is for peace in this world. Those who don’t
understand this and question it perhaps don’t know what diplomacy means.
As a diplomat, you have to be measured and perhaps keep your calm even when you’re
losing it because at the end of the day, we are all human beings. Have you ever, during your
service, lost your calm, gotten annoyed or lost your temper explicitly? And if you do feel it
inwardly, what’s your coping mechanism?
These things happen but you have to make sure that doesn’t impact your work, your engagement
with foreign interlocutors. Keeping in mind we are representing a country, a state. So it is not
your ‘own’ views that are being questioned but the views of the state. Your own views don’t
carry weight but of your country. When you don’t take the criticism personally since it is about
relations between countries then you don’t lose your calm. There are repercussion of getting
aggressive during negotiations as it is your job to keep cordial relations with other countries. If
you fight with them, how will you engage with them?
You have also worked with UN, do you really think UN holds any significance today when
it comes to maintaining peace and resolution of conflicts in the world?
For us, the UN is critical. We believe international law and UN Charter is critical. Pakistan
believes that it is important for the international community to protect the UN.
Don’t you think the Global North has monopolized the UN?
Of course they have a say, but this is how the UN was conceived. All members of the UN are
members of the General Assembly where any country, big or small has a vote. And we can make
our voice heard perhaps not as loudly as the Security Council could. And when Security Council
fails, it is the UN General Assembly that spells out its position on important international issues
like what happened during the Korean War. Similarly these days, the UN Security Council hasn’t
been able to come up with a strong statement on Palestine, so the General Assembly has been
very loud and clear the issue of Palestine. It has called for ceasefire, it has also referred the case
of Palestine and foreign occupation to International Court of Justice (ICJ) and ICJ is deliberating
on it. Therefore, we cannot say that UN doesn’t have any power. But United Nations may be
strengthened further and reformed. This world order cant survive without UN.
Lastly, you’re heading to France as ambassador now, what are you expecting for the
upcoming experience?
France is an important partner for Pakistan. It is also a permanent member of the Security
Council and member of G-7, made of the big developed countries. In that respect it is important
for Pakistan to have a strong relationship with France. Pakistan has been engaged with France in
a number of areas and we intend on taking it forward whether it is economic cooperation, in
science and technology, agriculture, and climate. There are a number of international
organisations in France. There is UNESCO headquarters in France, therefore areas of science
and technology will be of importance to us. Amiable relations with France are thus of
significance for Pakistan.