From Refugee to Diplomat
By Atle Hetland
When Ahmad Mukhtar Nazar (30) was a refugee in Rawalpindi in the 1990s, had probably not even in his dreams thought that one day he would be a diplomat for his home country Afghanistan in Pakistan. But that is what happened. He went to school in Pakistan until he moved back home with his mother, brothers and sisters in 2003. He continued his secondary education and later also university studies in law and political science, but he is not from a wealthy family, just quite ordinary family. But he got an opportunity to join the Foreign Office where he received training to become a diplomat, with special focus on press and cultural issues. About two years ago, he was posted to Pakistan as second secretary at the Afghan Embassy.
“I am not allowed to give interviews to the media”, said Mukhtar when I asked him if I could write about his success story. “Only the ambassador is allowed to give interviews”, he said. But since I have met Mukhtar so many times at events, I said to him that I knew enough to write a story that can inspire other young people.
I have myself worked with education for Afghan refugees in Pakistan in UNHCR and UNESCO, and I have also written articles and books about the important field. Now, most refugees have returned to Afghanistan, but a few million are still here, and the new government seems to try to make it possible for many of them to stay on in Pakistan if they want to. Young refugees who were born here, should be given such an option; even old ones, who would find it very difficult to live at home.
I joked with Embassy Secretary Ahmad Mukhtar Nazar about he being a ‘born diplomat’; good looking, polite, easy to talk to for everyone, and fluent in English, Urdu, Pashtu and Farsi. To be knowledgeable about issues is required, yet, knowing not to speak about controversial things is also essential. Common sense, reasoning and balanced judgment are required for a well-rounded diplomat. In addition comes all the office work and the bureaucratic skills. Throughout the posting to a foreign country, one has to keep learning about that country, and one has to support cooperation links with one’s home country.
Most current leaders in Afghanistan have been refugees, including diplomats. The outgoing Afghan ambassador to Pakistan, Hazrat Omar Zakhilwal, who was earlier Minister of Finance in Afghanistan, was also a refugee in Pakistan for a while before going to Canada, where he received his university education, including a Ph.D.
“I am particularly glad when I see Afghans who have been refugees in Pakistan and then reach top posts in their lives”, said a retired Pakistani diplomat.
The writer is a Norwegian social scientist based in Islamabad
From our Print Edition
