Tehmina Janjua, a career diplomat, becomes the first woman in Pakistan’s history upon taking her charge today as a foreign secretary, radio Pakistan reported. Ms. Janjua replaces Aizaz Chaudhry who has taken up charge as Pakistan’s ambassador to the United States.

Tehmina joined foreign service in 1984 and has vast experience of multilateral diplomacy. Although Ms. Janjua served only once as ambassador to Rome from December 2011 to October 2015, she was long considered a favourite for the position of foreign secretary even though she is not the senior most officer in the foreign ministry.

In addition to being the first woman foreign secretary, Ms. Janjua becomes the 29th person overall to head the foreign ministry of Pakistan.

While Ms. Janjua now holds the distinction of becoming the first foreign secretary, Ms. Hinna Rabbani Khar holds the honor of being the foreign minister of Pakistan. She served from February 11, 2011 till 16 March 2013 in PPP’s government.