LONDON: British Pakistani diplomat Fouzia Younis named His Majesty’s British Consul General to Toronto, making history again.
Senior British diplomat Fouzia Younis will shortly move to Canada.
“Privileged to be appointed His Majesty’s British Consul General to Toronto,” she tweeted. It’s the first time a British Muslim woman has headed a diplomatic post, but we don’t have data. I’ll be followed.
“To the girls who look like me, battling discrimination, racism, and sexism from inside communities and without, told they can’t do it or don’t sound or look the part. Stay strong. Change the world. Moreover, Thanks to my coworkers and old/new employers for your suggestions and challenges to help me develop my voice. We represent the UK of today and shape all our futures. I’m excited to start in Toronto!”
Moreover, Younis became the first Pakistani-born director of communications at the British High Commission in Islamabad three years ago.
Younis speaks Urdu and Punjabi. She joined the Foreign Service after graduating from Birmingham and Cambridge universities.
She remembered her father, who dropped her off at the coach station at 4am for work interviews, and her late mother, who supported her university choice and walked her home through Birmingham’s dark streets.
Younis has said that her mother, Zohra Begum, who recently passed away after suffering from COVID-19, a strong advocate of girls’ education who raised four successful children.
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Moreover, She was the communication director for the Pakistan Network; and previously the co-chair of the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) Race Network leading a global network of over 300 staff.
While, Her previous diplomatic assignments have included: leading UK strategic efforts across the Gulf Cooperation Council region; supporting UK’s security and humanitarian efforts in Bangladesh; and serving in Sri Lanka during the conflict period.
In Islamabad, Younis worked on the Royal Visit, two English cricket and several other initiatives.
Younis also seconded to 10 Downing Street and has led major corporate reform programmes for the FCDO. Her work has been nominated for several awards including for innovation and expertise, and she is a passionate advocate for inclusion.
