Daily Times

His Excellency Ambassador Jauhar Saleem is a Pakistani career diplomat who is currently serving as Pakistan’s Ambassador to the Federal Republic of Germany. Prior to being appointed as Pakistan’s Ambassador to Germany, he served as Additional Foreign Secretary (Administration) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and was also the Director-General of the prestigious Foreign Service Academy Islamabad. He also previously served as Pakistan’s Ambassador to Bahrain and Bosnia & Herzegovina. His other diplomatic assignments, in a career spanning some 30 years, also include those held in Brazil, Turkey and USA.

The following is an interview conducted by Hassan Khan with the ambassador at the Embassy of Pakistan in Berlin, Germany

HK: Sir my first question is what made you opt to join the Foreign Service of Pakistan and have a long-term career in diplomacy?

AJS: I travelled with my father as a teenager to Europe and America. That in a way just opened my eyes to the fact that there was such fascinating world to be seen and so many beautiful cultures to imbibe. But traveling can’t just do that, as you actually have to live and relate to the people. Foreign Service is the only career, which provides that opportunity in a befitting manner besides bestowing upon the unique honor of representing one’s country abroad. I thus decided to pursue the tradition of diplomacy.

HK: How supportive were your parents for your career choice given the nature of this profession where one is largely away from their family and friends?

AJS: Despite coming from an established business family, my parents were very understanding and supportive of my decision. I admire them for that. Yes, one does have to stay away from family and old friends for long durations but the social media revolution has made it easier through providing means of constant staying in touch.

HK: What was your most memorable and exciting experience as a diplomat in a career spanning some 30 years given that you’ve served in various missions across the world and also served at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs?

AJS: There would be many since it is a very exciting career. It is hard to single out one. For instance; meeting and knowing the world leaders or celebrities such as Princess Diana, Pele or Agha Khan, representing Pakistan in challenging situations at international conferences or helping thousands of affected families of Srebrenica genocide in Bosnia on behalf of the Government of Pakistan. In addition, organizing memorable cultural and fashion events to promote Pakistan’s image that brought the best from the Pakistan loving diaspora abroad along with delivering lectures at world famous think thanks or universities. The list is quite exhaustive actually.

HK: And what was the most difficult period of your career?

AJS: There could be challenges on the way but those can be turned into opportunities with the right mind set and due dedication.

HK: Coming to the relations between Germany and Pakistan, they span over a period of several decades with both defence and trade ties remaining strong. However, when we talk about the German automobile industry; it only has a small-scale presence in Pakistan with most vehicles being a luxury for the urban middle class. Are there any efforts being made by the Government of Pakistan to give large scale access to the German automobile industry in terms of opening assembly plants given the fact that it could help reduce the purchasing costs? Not mentioning that the previous German Ambassador to Pakistan Dr Cyril Nunn tried getting Volkswagen onboard for such a project in June 2015 but talks went futile in the end given the oligarchic nature of the local carmakers in Pakistan.

AJS: Germany is one of our largest economic partners with a great reputation in engineering. Like other sectors we want to promote cooperation in the area of automobile production. Volkswagen was interested as you said but they felt the auto manufacturing policy regime at the time did not provide adequate incentives. With the new policy, we shall now be pursuing this with Volkswagen as well as other world-renowned auto manufacturers in Germany.

HK: My next question is on the defence ties between the two states. The Munich Security Conference was recently held where world leaders and diplomats including those from Pakistan gathered to find solutions to multidimensional global security issues. How can Pakistan play a larger role in maintaining regional and global peace in the ever-changing security scenario where militant organisations have become key players in the past three decades? Further adding that Operation Zarb e Azb has remained largely successful till now but the Afghan Peace Process still remains the bone of contention given the complex nature involving the Afghan Taliban 

AJS: Pakistan meaningfully participated in the Munich Security Conference like you said. There were meetings on the sidelines between the defense ministers of Pakistan and Germany in keeping with our tradition of positive engagement in the area of defense cooperation. We have always contributed to promoting regional as well as global peace and security. For instance, on Afghanistan we are vital part of the Quadrilateral Coordination Group (QCG) for bringing about peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan. Presently, that is the most dynamic process for stability and peace in Afghanistan, which has been appreciated all around.  Pakistan has also been the largest contributor to UN peacekeeping missions.Our contribution in the area of counterterrorism has been appreciated the world over, particularly, since the highly successful Zarb e Azboperation against the most hardened terrorists. We will continue with our sincere endeavors to defeat terrorism and promote regional stability.

HK: The Refugee Crisis has led to an increase in Islamophobia across Europe including Germany with right wing political parties and groups leading from the front. What steps, if any, are being taken by the Embassy in reducing the impact of this menace and take the German-Pakistani community into confidence?

There was Islamophobia in Europe in certain segments of society long before the refugee crisis. However, the crisis has exacerbated this feeling as is evident from the recent showing of extreme right wing parties. The recent episodes of terrorism in Europe have also heightened such misplaced feelings. We are striving to remove any misperceptions about Pakistan and Islam through all means available such as Public Diplomacy, Cultural Diplomacy and reaching out to civil society in the host country. I am personally reaching out to the leadership, intelligentsia, opinion makers and community leaders. Pakistani diaspora has a key role in this regard and we have fully engaged them in this joint endeavor.

HK: My final question is that being a distinguished serving career diplomat, what advise would you give to the youth of Pakistan that wish to join the Foreign Service of Pakistan or any other similar field of interest?

AJS: My advice to young Pakistanis is that there is a whole lot of career choices available within and outside Pakistan unlike what used to be the case some years ago. They should not limit their horizons therefore and explore before deciding upon any particular career. I still believe Foreign Service remains one of the most exciting careers out there, specially for those with an intellectual bent of mind and the desire to explore the world and serve Pakistan at a global level. While the places available every year are very limited and it is a most competitive field, but with hard work and dedication nothing is impossible.

The writer is a geopolitical analyst at Business Plus. He can be reached at hassankhan440@gmail.com and tweets @mhassankhan06