ISLAMABAD, July 3: The Washington-based Women Ambassadors Foundation has named Pakistan’s longest-serving ambassador to the US, Dr Maleeha Lodhi, as the ‘Ambassador of the Year’.

She was also given an award at a ceremony in Washington on Tuesday by Robin Raphel, former US assistant secretary of state.

Raphel said Dr Lodhi was “an outstanding diplomat, a professional, a patriot who is a real asset to Pakistan in her role as a journalist and diplomat.”

Former US secretary of state Madeleine Albright, lauding Dr Lodhi’s services, on the occasion said: “Ambassador Lodhi had to face this year the formidable challenges which she met with unparalleled skill and grace, thus refining the art of shuttle diplomacy.”

Dr Maleeha Lodhi has been described by US Senator Hank Brown as an “absolute dynamo”.

He said he was convinced that much of the improvement between the ties of the two countries was because of her “incredible energy level and bright mind.”

President of the Women Ambassadors Foundation said: “Dr Lodhi has shown a superb, elegant and convincing way of conducting diplomacy, always reminding American audiences and the world of the concept of sovereignty of nations and the necessity for multilateral approaches to tackle problems as difficult as terrorism and warfare.” Dr Lodhi will relinquish charge on Aug 1.