Sofia, 22 August 2023 (TDI): Mariam Madiha Aftab, the Ambassador of Pakistan to Bulgaria was awarded the ‘Golden Laurel Branch’ award by Maria Gabriel, the Foreign Minister of Bulgaria on 21 August 2023.
The award was presented to Ambassador Mariam Madiha Aftab by Tihomir Stoytchev, Deputy Foreign Minister of Bulgaria.
Ambassador Mariam Madiha Aftab was granted the most prestigious recognition from Bulgaria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, acknowledging her endeavours to enhance the bilateral ties between Bulgaria and Pakistan throughout her term in office.
Diplomatic Career of Madiha Aftab
Mariam Madiha Aftab became a member of Pakistan’s Foreign Service in 1994.
Before her assignment in Sofia, she held the role of Deputy Head of Mission at the Pakistani Embassy in Berlin.
She has also served as a Counsellor at the Permanent Mission of Pakistan to the United Nations in Geneva and at the Pakistani Embassy in Beijing.
Furthermore, she assumed the position of Second Secretary at the Permanent Mission of Pakistan to the United Nations in New York.
Within the Foreign Ministry in Islamabad, she has fulfilled several significant roles including Director General for Africa, Director General for the Americas, Director for the United States, Director for Kashmir, and Deputy Director for the United Nations.
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She possesses a Master’s degree in International Relations from the University of Sussex in the United Kingdom.
Golden Laurel Branch Award
The prestigious “Golden Laurel Branch” award is conferred upon foreign citizens or expatriates living abroad who have notably advanced the growth and intensification of bilateral ties with another country.
Their accomplishments encompass fostering international collaboration and actively engaged in promoting Bulgarian achievements in science, culture, and economy overseas.
This recognition underscores the remarkable role played by individuals in enhancing cross-border relations and contributing to Bulgaria’s global presence.
