British diplomat Fouzia Younis of Pakistani origin has made history as she becomes the first British Muslim woman to be appointed head of a UK diplomatic post, state media reports.

Fouzia Younis, whose parents are Pakistani and who currently serves as director of communications at the British High Commission in Islamabad, has been appointed as British Consul General to Toronto, Canada.

Taking to Twitter, she expressed gratitude to her father, who used to drop her at the coach station at 4 am for her work interviews and her late mother, who supported her decision to go to university and would walk her home through dark streets.

She has significant experience of building international relationships in the Middle East and South Asia and managing, coaching and developing multicultural and diverse teams. 

https://twitter.com/YounisFouzia/status/1639264726373789700

Until March 2020, she was also the co-chair of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic Network (BAME) leading a global network of over 250 staff.

She paid tribute to her mother saying she was a strong advocate of girls' education who raised four successful children.

In her message to girls, she urged them not to let anyone dim their power.