Dr Faryal Leghari, Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to Turkmenistan, spoke in an interview with Diplo TV about her diplomatic career, her work in Ashgabat and her impressions of Turkmenistan, according to the online news site AsmanNews.

Faryal Leghari took up her post on 13 June 2025. Shortly after arriving in Ashgabat, she helped organise the evacuation of Pakistani nationals from Iran following the outbreak of military conflict.

Before entering the diplomatic service, the Ambassador graduated from the University of Oxford, where she obtained a PhD in political geography. She has also worked for leading media organisations in the region, held senior editorial positions and conducted research in the fields of security and international relations.

According to the diplomat, her actual impressions of Turkmenistan proved to be better than her previous expectations of the country. The Ambassador highlighted Turkmenistan’s stability, its policy of permanent neutrality and its hospitality.

Faryal Leghari also emphasised women’s active participation in public and political life, access to education and the focus on the development of culture, the arts and the preservation of national heritage.

The Ambassador made a special mention of the shared love of horse riding. Joint initiatives in the field of equestrian sports are currently being considered, including possible visits by Pakistani female athletes.