Islamabad, 25 November 2021 (TDI): As a public diplomacy initiative, Diplomatic Insight Group organized the 4th Global Ambassadors Award Ceremony to acknowledge the services of Ambassadors and diplomats, heads of international organizations, businessmen for the promotion of people to people contact, business, trade, and constructive bilateral relations with their respective states and missions.
As a result of outstanding contribution towards building Pakistan’s strong partnership with Iraq on behalf of the people of Pakistan, Diplomatic Insight Group conferred an award to Hamid Abbas Lafta, Ambassador of the Republic of Iraq to Pakistan. This was a humble tribute to his hard work and commitment to Pakistan-Iraq relations.
Having a Master’s degree in Political Science, Ambassador Lafta joined the Foreign Service in 2006 and since then, he has proved to be one of the most incredible and well-decorated diplomats Iraq ever had.
In 2006-07, he was appointed as Diplomat in the department of neighboring countries in the MOFA. Later on, he worked as Consul at the Iraqi mission in Tehran.
Ambassador Lafta also served as Associate Dean of the Foreign Service Institute, Head of Political Section at Iraqi Mission in Tehran, and Charge D Affairs of the Iraqi Embassy in Tehran. Along with it, being Deputy Head of Department of Asia and Australia at MOFA and Head of Department of Asia and Australia adds two more feathers in his cap.
Following his remarkable diplomatic insight, the Iraqi Government appointed Mr. Hamid Abbas Lafta as the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to represent Iraq to Pakistan.
It’s worth saying that during his tenure, relations between Pakistan and Iraq are getting rich and sweet.
Importantly, Ambassador Lafta worked for the rapprochement of Iraq-Pakistan Foreign Ministers, framed by a mutual visit of the foreign minister of the two countries during 2021.
His remarkable efforts culminated in the signing of an MOU for Iraq-Pakistan Political consultations during the visit of Iraqi FM to Pakistan on 11/8/2021. Also, the visit of the Secretary for Political Planning Affairs and Dean of the Iraqi Foreign Services Institute, Dr. Daleh Al-Tamimi, to Pakistan and the signing of MoU for Cooperation between Pakistan Foreign Services Academy and the Iraqi Foreign Service Institute are resultant of Ambassador Lafta’s efforts.
It must not go without saying that Ambassador Lafta has worked incredibly for enhanced Iraq-Pakistan cooperation in tourism, economic, cultural, and military, and other fields. Due to his flawless diplomacy, Pakistan and Iraq signed MoUs in the field of Investment, tourism cooperation, cultural Cooperation, air transport, Exemption from entry Visas for Holders of diplomatic and services passports, Cooperation between the Federation of Chambers of Commerce in both countries, and sport and youth.
Lastly, it was his efforts that Pakistani officials, including Minister of Defense Production, Minister of Religious Affairs, and Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, visited Iraq, with more coming in the near future.
