Fouzia Younis, a British-Pakistani diplomat, was included in the first King’s Birthday Honours List 2023 on Saturday for her achievements in the UK’s foreign policy.
Younis is currently the first British-Muslim Consul General in Toronto and formerly worked as the chief of communications at the British High Commission in Islamabad.
Younis, who is well-known for her diplomatic skills, has been a diplomat for the past 20 years, serving in four separate posts.
Her selection to the elite list follows her receipt of an MBE — Member of the Order of the British Empire — for her efforts. An MBE is a British honour bestowed by the King or Queen on individuals for their achievements in a specific capacity and field.
Taking to Twitter, the Pakistani-origin diplomat expressed her “honour” at being included on the distinguished list, which includes dignitaries and powerhouses from many sectors of British society.
“Can’t believe I’m tweeting this, but I’m honoured to be included in the King’s Birthday Honours list and to be awarded an MBE for contributions to foreign policy,” she said.
“As we say in Birmingham, I’m overjoyed.” “Thank you!” she wrote on Twitter.
As Pakistan’s head of communications, she oversaw the royal visit in 2019, repatriated tens of thousands of British citizens during COVID-19 back to the UK in 2020, assisted with flood relief efforts last year, and celebrated the return of the England Cricket team after 17 years.
In March of this year, she was appointed as His Majesty’s British Consul General to Toronto, and she quickly moved to Canada, waving farewell to Pakistan.
