The writer is an economist,
anchor, analyst and
the President of the All Pakistan Private Schools Federation
president@Pakistanprivateschools.com
A boss typically is someone who uses their authority or power to control people to act in a particular way, whereas a leader seeks to influence others through their actions. Bosses are usually authoritative in nature and they often strike fear in the minds of their subordinates, whereas leaders are approachable and inspirational to others. There are many inspirational stories of how leaders are able to transform organizations in different ways. Today’s inspirational story is all about such an incident and a leader who seeks to influence others through their actions. Mr Yasin Joyia was appointed as Honorary Consul General of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka for Lahore, Punjab on 22, June 2021. This is the highest title that a foreign country can award to a Pakistani. This appointment, along with the highest honour, also brought huge responsibilities for Mr Yasin Joyia. Mr. Yasin Joyia had to face a big challenge in the sad incident of Sialkot, where a Sri Lankan citizen, namely Priyantha Kumara, was brutally killed and burnt by a Pakistani Mob on the false accusation of blasphemy. The hype of the incident was spread through social media worldwide like wildfire. It was a disaster for the soft image of Pakistan. Complicating the picture is the fact that the heinous murder, that has drawn worldwide attention, happened in the heart of the productive process of a large company with many foreign buyers, in a city whose business community has vast international networks. It’s anticipated that the European Union would like to exercise some pressure, especially with regard to the blasphemy law. Earlier that year, the European Parliament adopted a resolution calling for a review of the GSP plus status granted to Pakistan in view of the increase in the use of blasphemy accusations in the country. The High Commissioner of Sri Lanka contacted Mr Joyia and asked him to look into the matter. Mr. Joyia acted promptly, at the time there were three main challenges for him. First, the repatriation of the remains to Sri Lanka, second, to announce financial compensation for the bereaved family and third, and of utmost importance, to neutralize the situation and minimize the damage to the soft image of his homeland, Pakistan. Mr Joyia worked on a war footing and not only received the dead body of the deceased from District Administration Sialkot but also succeeded in completing all the legal and medical requirements timely. As the Honorary Consul General of Sri Lanka, he signed all the documents as a sender on behalf of the deceased family. The remains of the late Priyantha Kumara were transported from Aadil Hospital to Allama Iqbal International Airport in the presence of the ANF (Anti Narcotic Force), the Customs and immigration team managed all the formalities were completed, and then Mr Joyia along with the advisor to Prime Minister, Provisional Minister, and officials of DGPR, handed over the coffin to the Air Lanka Crew. This effort of Mr. Joyia was highly appreciated by the Sri Lankan High Commissioner, the Government of Pakistan, and the Government of Sri Lanka on the highest level. While recognizing Mr. Joyia’s efforts, the High Commission of Sri Lanka wrote a letter of appreciation to him acknowledging his indefatigable efforts. Within the rarefied realm of international relations, where diplomacy often relies upon the efficacy of words and formalities, Mr. Yasin Joyia, Honorary Consul General of Sri Lanka in Lahore and Chairman of the Pakistan Eye Donation Society, has redefined the paradigm of diplomatic endeavour. Through his visionary initiative, aptly termed “Corneal Diplomacy,” Mr. Joyia has forged a symbiotic bond between nations, predicated upon compassion and concerted action. His efforts have not only served to strengthen the bilateral ties between Pakistan and Sri Lanka but have also bestowed the invaluable gift of sight upon thousands of individuals in need. Mr Joyia’s diplomatic acumen was subjected to a formidable test in the aftermath of the tragic Priyantha Kumara incident in Sialkot. Rising to the challenge, Mr Joyia adeptly navigated the complexities of the situation, ensuring the repatriation of the deceased’s remains, securing financial compensation for the bereaved family, and mitigating the negative repercussions upon Pakistan’s international image. As the Honorary Consul General of Sri Lanka, Mr. Joyia personally oversaw the repatriation process, liaising with local authorities to expedite the necessary formalities. His endeavours were universally lauded by the Sri Lankan High Commissioner, the Government of Pakistan, and the Government of Sri Lanka. Furthermore, Mr Joyia played a pivotal role in highlighting the heroic actions of Mr Adnan Malik, who had attempted to rescue Priyantha Kumara during the incident. Mr. Joyia’s leadership of the Pakistan Eye Donation Society has yielded a profound impact, bestowing the gift of sight upon thousands. Under his stewardship, the Society has facilitated the donation of 2,000 corneas from Sri Lanka, which have been implanted in deserving patients across Pakistan. This remarkable endeavour has not only strengthened bilateral ties but has also underscored the transformative potential of humanitarian diplomacy.
Mr. Joyia’s exemplary contributions have been duly recognized with numerous distinguished accolades, including the prestigious Global Ambassador Award, the Ambassador for Peace Award, the Allama Iqbal Gold Medal, and the Asian Media Public Service Award.¹ His innovative approach to diplomacy, grounded in compassion and an unwavering commitment to human welfare, has redefined the paradigm of international relations, demonstrating that diplomacy can transcend ephemeral political alliances to embrace humanity and ameliorate lives. Mr Yasin Joyia played a pivotal role in reinstating Pakistan’s benevolent image, adeptly highlighting the heroic actions of Mr Adan Malik, a Pakistani citizen who valiantly attempted to rescue the late Priyantha Kumara. Mr. Joyia’s diplomatic acumen was evident in his successful negotiations with the acting Governor of Punjab, securing financial compensation for the bereaved family. Furthermore, Mr Joyia was invited as a distinguished guest to a session of the Punjab Assembly, where a unanimous resolution condemning the Sialkot incident was passed. His efforts to coordinate with the Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and the Rajco Company ensured financial compensation for the family of the deceased. Through his regular appearances on Sri Lankan national media, Mr Joyia endeavoured to diffuse tensions and rebuild Pakistan’s image in the international arena. Ultimately, Mr Joyia’s tireless efforts facilitated the appointment of another Sri Lankan citizen to fill the vacancy left by the late Priyantha Kumara, thereby mitigating the repercussions of the incident and restoring cordial relations between Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Keeping in view all the above efforts, it could be said with full conviction that Mr Yasin Joyia is a person in Pakistan who practically proved his leadership quality and experience. Professionally, he has served Pakistan in all five International Media Carriers including Terrestrial, Satellite, Cable, Multi-Media Distribution systems, and IPTV. In the recent past, Mr. Yasin Joyia was picked to participate in National Security WorkShop Balochistan-8, conducted and hosted by the 12 Corps Quetta and the Government of Balochistan. Mr. Yasin Joyia made a positive contribution and did his best for the nation. It is high time that the government eschews maladministration, identifies, and focuses on the right job with good governance to change the country’s fortune. Pakistan is a great country with tremendous resources regarding minerals, water resources, land, good industries, strong manpower, flourishing weather, and all those blessings which any developed country can have, but unfortunately, the wrong people on the wrong jobs with bad policies and poorly managed plans let it down to the category of a Third World country. So, the country itself is not poor, it’s all about the management that we are still facing these challenges.
Pakistan needs leaders not bosses, and leadership requires wisdom, understanding, forbearance and accountability. So we need a team of leaders and technocrats like Mr. Yasin Joyia who can grow and boast the economy and can achieve the national foreign goals.
In an increasingly multipolar world, Pakistan needs to raise its economic and diplomatic game by vigorous outreach to other key countries and actors beyond governments to secure its foreign policy goals.
In an increasingly complex and multipolar world, Pakistan must elevate its economic and diplomatic prowess through proactive engagement with pivotal nations and entities beyond governmental spheres to secure its foreign policy objectives. A nation’s prosperity is not predetermined by its current economic status, for with unwavering resolve, effective planning, prudent governance, and astute management, even the most impoverished country can ascend to prosperity over time. The travesty besetting Pakistan, a nation plagued by poverty, lies not in its inherent potential, but in the debilitating effects of mismanagement and maladministration, which perpetuate and exacerbate its economic woes. As the international community strives for enhanced cooperation and mutual understanding, the exemplary leadership of Mr Yasin Joyia shines as a beacon of hope, illuminating the transformative potential of diplomacy that transcends mere political alliances to embrace humanity and improve lives. Mr Joyia’s tireless endeavours have set a remarkable precedent, demonstrating the profound impact one individual can have in fostering harmonious relations between nations and effecting positive change. It is essential to comprehend the quintessential characteristics of a leader and the profound influence they wield over others. An exemplary leader empowers their followers, delegates responsibility, and align ends and means to achieve strategic objectives. In contrast to autocratic bosses who rely on authority and coercion, leaders inspire loyalty, trust, and commitment through empathy, vision, and integrity. Pakistan’s future prosperity hinges on its ability to cultivate a cadre of visionary leaders and technocrats, exemplified by Mr Yasin Joyia, who can propel economic growth, achieve foreign policy objectives, and inspire a new era of national prosperity. A poor country can become rich in course of time if it has the will to set its house in order through planning, good governance, and management. The tragedy is that Pakistan being a poor country is further dragged to swell poverty through mismanagement and bad governance. As nations continue to seek deeper connections and mutual understanding, Mr. Joyia’s legacy serves as a beacon of hope and inspiration. His transformative leadership demonstrates that diplomacy is not just about fostering political alliances but also about embracing humanity and improving lives. Through his tireless efforts, Mr Joyia has set a remarkable example of how one individual can honour the bonds between nations and change lives for the better. Therefore, it is very important to understand what a leader actually is and the impact he can create on people. A good leader is able to empower his followers and delegate responsibility to others. No strategy is effective unless ends and means are aligned, because when before you are a leader, success is all about growing yourself, but when you become a leader, success is all about growing others. So Pakistan needs a team of leaders and technocrats like Mr. Yasin Joyia who can grow and boost the economy and can achieve the national foreign goals. Indeed, Pakistan needs leaders, not bosses!
The writer is an economist, anchor, geo-political analyst and the President of All Pakistan Private Schools Federation
president@Pakistanprivateschools.com