- Ambassador Al-Moallami wishes his Pakistani counterpart the best in her future endeavors
- Lodhi was appointed Pakistan’s permanent representative to the UN in February 2015
ISLAMABAD: Saudi Arabia’s permanent representative at the United Nations, Ambassador Abdullah bin Yahya Al-Moallami, bid farewell to his Pakistani counterpart, Maleeha Lodhi, on Monday with a farewell lunch where many top ambassadors and officials were present.
“Ambassador Al-Moallami held a Farewell Luncheon in honor of H.E. Dr. Maleeha Lodhi, PR of the brotherly Republic of Pakistan, with the participation of a number of PRs from some of the brotherly and friendly countries,” Saudi Arabia’s permanent mission to the UN said in a tweet. “We wish Amb Lodhi all the best.”
Lodhi also took to Twitter to thank Ambassador Al-Moallami “for hosting a sumptuous farewell lunch for me today with close friends and colleagues.” She said the ambassadors of the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, Kuwait, Jordan, Lebanon, Norway, Rwanda, Bahrain, and the Maldives had attended the event in New York.
Lodhi, who was appointed Pakistan’s ambassador to the UN in February 2015, will be replaced by Ambassador Munir Akram. Akram has previously served as Pakistan’s permanent representative to the UN between 2002 and 2008.
The sudden announcement to replace Lodhi came a day after Prime Minister Imran and Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi returned to Pakistan last month after wrapping up their visit to the United States to attend the 74th session of the UN General Assembly.