Maleeha Lodhi Pakistani journalist and political scientist Date of Birth: 01.01.1953 Country: Pakistan

1. Education and Family Background
2. Academic Career
3. Journalism and Political Commentary
4. Diplomatic Career
5. United Nations Ambassador
6. Recognition and Honors
7. 2005: Honorary Doctorate of Letters, London Metropolitan University

Education and Family Background

Malicha Lodhi was born into an upper-middle-class family in Pakistan. Her father, a former naval officer, rose through the ranks of the British-Pakistani oil company Attock Oil Co. Her mother, a highly educated woman with a master's degree in journalism, chose to prioritize raising her children.

Malicha received her secondary education at various schools in Lahore, Karachi, and a Catholic school in Rawalpindi. She then pursued higher education in the United Kingdom.

Academic Career

In 1972, Lodhi enrolled in the London School of Economics and Political Science. She earned a B.Sc. in Economics with a specialization in Public Finance in 1976. Continuing her studies, she later obtained a Ph.D. in Political Science in 1980, with a dissertation on "Bhutto, the Pakistan People's Party and Political Development in Pakistan 1967-1977."

During her academic years, Lodhi also taught at Quaid-e-Azam University in Islamabad and later at her alma mater for five years (1980-1985), specializing in political science and political sociology.

Journalism and Political Commentary

Upon returning to Pakistan in 1986, Lodhi embarked on a career in journalism. She joined The Muslim, an English-language magazine, as a writer and rose to the position of Editor-in-Chief. Subsequently, she played a key role in the founding of Pakistan's largest English-language newspaper, The News International.

Lodhi's journalism and connections are credited with contributing to the return of Benazir Bhutto as Prime Minister of Pakistan. However, Lodhi was not an apologist for Bhutto and was known for her critical analysis.

Diplomatic Career

In 1993, Lodhi's career took an unexpected turn when she was offered the ambassadorship to the United States by Benazir Bhutto. She served in this capacity from 1993 to 1997. Later, she was appointed Ambassador to the United States again from 1999 to 2002, as well as High Commissioner to the United Kingdom from 2003 to 2008.

United Nations Ambassador

Since February 2015, Lodhi has held the position of Pakistan's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, becoming the first woman to serve in this role.

Recognition and Honors

2002: Hilal-e-Imtiaz (Order of Distinction), 2nd Class, for civil service from the Government of Pakistan

2004: Honorary Fellowship, London School of Economics and Political Science

2005: Honorary Doctorate of Letters, London Metropolitan University

Malicha Lodhi is widely regarded as one of the most prominent female politicians in the Muslim world. She was included in Time magazine's "100 Leaders and Revolutionaries Shaping the 21st Century" list in 1994, the only Pakistani representative on the list.