Washington D.C. August 29, 2024 -Ambassador Rizwan Saeed Sheikh recently presented his credentials as Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States at a formal ceremony held at the U.S. Department of State. In attendance were Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, Donald Lu, and Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Elizabeth Horst. During his remarks, Ambassador Sheikh expressed his commitment to strengthening Pakistan-U.S. relations through enhanced dialogue, economic cooperation, and people-to-people contacts.
Ambassador Sheikh’s diplomatic career spans over three decades, during which he has held several roles. Before assuming his current position, he served as Additional Foreign Secretary for the Middle East, Special Investment Facilitation Council, and Economic Diplomacy at Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. His tenure as Pakistan’s first Permanent Representative to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) marked a significant chapter in his career. In this role, he played a crucial part in establishing the OIC Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission, demonstrating his adeptness in both diplomatic negotiations and institutional development.
From 2015 to 2019, Ambassador Sheikh served as Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of Pakistan in Washington, D.C., where he played a vital role in advancing Pakistan’s interests in the U.S. and managing bilateral relations. His experience extends to multilateral diplomacy as well. At the United Nations in Geneva, he led negotiations for groups like NAM and G-77 and China, focusing on issues ranging from globalization to human rights.
Ambassador Sheikh’s extensive experience also includes serving as Joint Secretary at Pakistan’s National Security Division, where he contributed to drafting Pakistan’s first National Security Policy. His diverse roles have equipped him with a deep understanding of both bilateral and multilateral diplomacy, making him a well-rounded representative for Pakistan on the global stage.
Apart from his diplomatic duties, Ambassador Sheikh has been a proactive public speaker and advocate, engaging with audiences at prominent institutions like Harvard, Tufts, and Emory Universities. His efforts in promoting dialogue and understanding between the Muslim world and the West have been well recognized. This blend of public diplomacy and strategic negotiation has been a hallmark of his career.
Ambassador Sheikh, married with three children, brings both personal warmth and professional rigor to his new role in Washington. His background as a banker and broadcaster, coupled with his diplomatic acumen, positions him uniquely to navigate the complexities of Pakistan-U.S. relations and foster stronger ties between the two nations.
