The Romanian Institute for Europe-Asia Studies (IRSEA) welcomes Ambassador of Pakistan to Romania, Dr. Zafar Iqbal, as our newest Honorary Member. Committed to a more robust interaction between Europe and Asia, IRSEA is honoured to work together with Ambassadors, Diplomats, Statesmen and Academics in the spirit of Mutual Respect, Understanding and Dialogue.

One of Pakistan's most distinguished voices in Diplomacy, an active promoter of Mutual Respect, Dialogue and Understanding between Europe and Asia, Ambassador Dr. Zafar Iqbal has been appointed as Ambassador of Pakistan to Romania, resident in Bucharest and concurrently accredited to the Republic of Moldova, in Dec 2019. He assumed responsibilities in July 2020.

An honest and dedicated promoter of a more robust interaction between Europe and Asia, Ambassador Dr. Zafar Iqbal actively took part in IRSEA’s projects and supported the Romanian think-tank in its endeavours of continously strengthening its ties to like-minded institutions from Pakistan.

A highly capable and gifted diplomat, Dr. Zafar has joined the Foreign Service of Pakistan in 1999, working as Assistant Director before proceeding to Tunisia where he has served as Second Secretary/Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of Pakistan, Tunis. Dr. Zafar has further served at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Islamabad – as Deputy Director and Director. He has later joined the Embassy of Pakistan in Berlin as First Secretary. His next assignment was at Kyiv, where he was Counsellor/Deputy Head of Mission and Charge d’ Affaires a.i. Dr. Zafar subsequently served at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Islamabad as Director and Director General.

A man of letters and distinguished specialist of International Relations, Ambassador Dr. Zafar is an alumnus of Civil Services Academy, Lahore (Pakistan), Foreign Service Academy, Islamabad (Pakistan), Al-Imam University, Riyadh (Saudi Arabia), Foreign Service Academy, Berlin (Germany), National School of Public Policy, Lahore (Pakistan), and Clingendael Academy, The Hague (The Netherlands). Over the years, Dr. Zafar has delivered lectures on the subjects of regional, global and human resource management issues as well as Pakistan foreign policy at the Diplomatic Academies of Pakistan, Germany and Ukraine and multiple universities in Berlin, Muenster, Kyiv, and Islamabad.

Polyglot and staunch advocate of ever-strengthening relations between Europe and Asia, Ambassador Dr. Zafar speaks English and Arabic and has basic knowledge of French, German, and Russian.

Throughout his highly accomplished diplomatic activity, Ambassador Dr. Zafar Iqbal has built multiple and precious bridges between Europe and Asia, in the same spirit so strongly advocated by IRSEA. Presented the Honorary Membership of IRSEA by Ambassador (p) Gheorghe Savuica in person, Ambassador Dr. Zafar Iqbal manifested his will to support and further strengthen the excellent relations between IRSEA and like-minded think-tanks in Pakistan. On the occasion, IRSEA’s President and Founder, H.E. Ambassador (p) Gheorghe Savuica, praised Ambassador Dr. Zafar Iqbal for his high dedication, outstanding expertise and fruitful experience as well as the continuous, active and stimulating interest toward international cooperation and facilitation.

Ambassador Dr. Zafar Iqbal availed of the opportunity to present Ambassador (p) Savuica with a teacup of his own design and creation, bringing together motifs of both Pakistani and Romanian origin, further stressing on the symbolism of the excellent Pakistani-Romanian relations.