ISLAMABAD: President Mamnoon Hussain told diplomats that while acquainting themselves with challenges of the day, they should be ready to face the breaking news culture.

He was speaking at the graduation ceremony of the 34th Specialised Diplomatic Course at the Foreign Services Academy (FSA), on Monday.

While giving details of the ceremony, a spokesperson said that the president was of the view that diplomats should also show their capability in public and economic diplomacy besides in international law and politics.

The spokesperson quoted the president as saying: “Diplomatic skills should not just be in the art of negotiations and public speaking, they should also be prepared to navigate electronic, print and social media and the 24/7 cycle of the breaking news.”

Also read: People must assist govt for restoration of peace, says Mamnoon

Mr Hussain said that diplomats must understand the opportunities and challenges by evolving global developments because the study of diplomacy and international relations was of critical importance for countries like Pakistan.

He said contemporary diplomacy was becoming more complex. “This complexity has grown with the rise of new dimensions and intensification of competition for resources and influence.”

Laying stress on learning and research, he said that research in issues of global significance and grasp of foreign languages and cultures would prepare young minds to meet challenges they would face when they entered the field of diplomacy.

He said that diplomats carried a big responsibility of building the image of the country in the comity of nations and lauded the role of the FSA in this regard.

He expressed confidence that the country would continue to be represented in the tradition of excellence as the FSA had remained committed to producing diplomats who were in sync with the requirements of the day.

IMAM-I-KAABA MEETS PRESIDENT: Later, talking to Imam-i-Kaaba Al-Sheikh Dr Khalid Al-Ghamdi, President Hussain said Pakistan was committed to protecting the sanctity of the two holy mosques.

“Pakistan stands by Saudi Arabia,” he told Dr Ghamdi who called on him at the presidency.

Dr Ghamdi said that all sections of Pakistani society appeared determined to protecting Harmain Sharifain.

Published in Dawn, April 28th, 2015

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