Dr. Farial Leghari, Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to Turkmenistan, gave an interview to the Diplo TV platform in which she spoke about her professional path, her first months of work in Ashgabat, and her impressions of the host country.

Professional Path

Dr. Leghari came to diplomacy through an unconventional route. She holds a PhD in Political Geography from the University of Oxford, and before her diplomatic appointment she held senior editorial positions at Gulf News and Khaleej Times, and worked as a security researcher and risk analyst at the Gulf Research Center. Her academic interests included regional security, Pakistan's border regions, and Iran's nuclear diplomacy.

The ambassador noted that her development was largely shaped by her family: her father, former President of Pakistan Sardar Farooq Khan Leghari, supported her pursuit of education and an independent career abroad, which became a source of strength for her during difficult periods in her life.

Work in Turkmenistan

Dr. Leghari took up her post as ambassador to Turkmenistan on June 13, 2025. Almost immediately after arriving in Ashgabat, she faced a crisis situation — the outbreak of military conflict in neighboring Iran — which required urgent work to evacuate Pakistani citizens who were on Iranian territory.

Speaking about her impressions of the country, Dr. Leghari noted that her initial expectations of Turkmenistan, formed from online sources, did not match reality. According to her, Turkmenistan is a peaceful and stable state that consistently adheres to the principle of neutrality in international relations. The ambassador also pointed to the prevalence of stereotypes about the country, which she believes do not reflect reality — she described Turkmenistan as a hospitable nation.

Dr. Leghari specifically highlighted the role of women in Turkmen society, noting that they hold senior government positions and take part in major initiatives. She also praised the country's system of free education and the attention given to cultural heritage, music, and the arts.

The ambassador said her lifelong interest in horseback riding has brought her closer to Turkmenistan, and spoke about her work on equestrian sport projects between the two countries, including plans for visits by Pakistani athletes.

Advice to Fellow Citizens

Concluding the interview, Dr. Leghari urged her fellow citizens to remain united regardless of political disagreements and not to speak negatively about their country on the international stage. She also encouraged people not to give up on their goals and to pursue them with determination. In addition, the ambassador proposed organizing educational seminars for young people on public diplomacy.