When the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps Ambassador Rodolfo Martin Saravia held a lunch reception this week, it was particularly well attended, and the reason was that it was to bid farewell to Australian High commissioner Peter Heyward and Susan Heyward.

Although they have only spent a few years in Pakistan, they have become known and much appreciated by many, foreigners and locals. The dean thanked the Australian high commissioner and said it was difficult to say goodbye to such good friends. He handed over the standard gift from the diplomatic community, a carved chest with the names of all the envoys inscribed on the cover.

The high commissioner said he and his wife were leaving Pakistan with fond memories. They were grateful for having served in one of the world’s most interesting countries – and the world’s friendliest people. Heyward’s new duty station will be Washington, where he will be in charge of trade and other cooperation issues.

The dean’s reception was also to welcome two new envoys, the Kenyan high commissioner and the South Korean ambassador.

Furthermore, it was the first time that all heads of the UN agencies were included in the country envoys’ organisation. Ambassador Saravia underlined the importance of closer cooperation and information exchange between the UN representatives and the country envoys.

“I think this is one of the issues that Saravia will focus on in his future work as dean, and now when the long-term Argentine ambassador has himself received a one-year extension, I am sure we will see results,” said another envoy at the reception.

Published in Dawn, May 5th, 2015

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