Saima Saleem, the first visually impaired Pakistani woman to be employed by the Federal Government, holds a prominent position as the Second Secretary on Human Rights at Pakistan’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations in Geneva. She is a dedicated civil servant and a valuable member of the country’s diplomatic service.
Exceptional Academic Journey and Achievements
Saima Saleem’s educational journey is remarkable. She began her schooling at Aziz Jehan Begum Trust, a school for the blind. Her academic achievements continued as she completed her bachelor’s and MPhil degrees in English literature from Kinnaird College for Women University, earning first division distinctions and garnering gold medals for her outstanding performance.
Despite being visually impaired, Saima excelled among the sighted students, consistently ranking among the top 10 among the 300 students. In 2007, she achieved an impressive 6th position overall and secured the first position among women in the Central Superior Services (CSS) exam.
Her academic prowess earned her a prestigious Fulbright Scholarship to pursue further studies at Georgetown University, School of Foreign Service.
Journey with RP and Family's Triumphs
Saima Saleem faced a significant challenge in her childhood when she was diagnosed with RP (retinitis pigmentosa), an incurable eye disease. As the condition progressed, she gradually lost her sight, and by the age of thirteen, Saima had become completely blind. Saima hails from a family with a unique story of resilience against visual impairment, as two of her siblings are also blind. Notably, her brother Yousaf Saleem made history as the first blind judge in Pakistan, while Saima’s sister, who shares the same visual impairment, serves as a lecturer at the University of Lahore.
Inspiring Beginnings as a Lecturer
Saima commenced her professional journey as a lecturer at her alma mater, Kinnaird College for Women, where she remained dedicated from 2007 to 2008.
Navigating Challenges in Joining the Foreign Service of Pakistan
Saima Saleem encountered a hurdle in her pursuit of taking the CSS exams when she requested the Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC) to administer a computer-based exam, a necessity due to her visual impairment. Initially met with resistance as the FPSC traditionally conducted paper-based exams, Saima persisted by invoking a 2005 ordinance emphasizing government support for visually impaired candidates to take exams on a computer. With assistance from her school’s director and the intervention of the president’s staff, Saima’s application found approval, granting her the opportunity to participate in the exams in a computer-based format.
After successfully passing the exam, Saima encountered yet another obstacle as the FPSC initially prohibited blind candidates from applying for the foreign service. Undeterred by this restriction, driven by her aspiration to become a diplomat, Saima persuaded the panel to allow her to choose her preferred groups. During her interview, when questioned about her group allocation, she expressed dissatisfaction, stating that in a competitive exam, positions should align with the corresponding group. The panel forwarded her appeal to the Prime Minister, who, making an exception, approved Saima’s case.
Following her CSS exam success, Saima joined the Foreign Service of Pakistan in 2009. Her roles included serving as the assistant director to China from May 2012 to July 2012 and as the assistant director of Security Council and Human Rights from July 2010 to August 2011 at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In 2013, she achieved the position of the second secretary on human rights for Pakistan’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland. Currently, she serves as the deputy secretary in the Prime Minister’s secretariat.
Awards and Recognitions
Saima has garnered numerous accolades throughout her academic journey, including the Quaid-e-Azam gold medal for her outstanding academic performance and securing the top position in the Punjab Public Service Commission exam. Additionally, she has been honored with the Women Achievement Award and the Madar-e-Millat Fatima Jinnah Medal. Notably, Saima received commendation from the former Prime Minister of Pakistan, Nawaz Sharif, during his visit to Switzerland for the World Economic Forum.