DNA
ISLAMABAD: The Spanish ambassador to Pakistan José Antonio de Ory Peral has departed nearly a year before completing his expected three-year term, leaving after just under two years in office. His early exit has raised eyebrows within diplomatic circles, though many in Islamabad’s media and political community have expressed relief at his departure. Traditionally, Spanish ambassadors in Pakistan have been regarded as approachable, warm, and popular figures, but this envoy proved to be an exception.
From the beginning of his tenure, he was perceived as unusually cynical and aloof. One incident at a reception early in his posting left a lasting impression. A senior representative of one of Pakistan’s leading daily newspapers approached him with a name card, a customary gesture of introduction. The ambassador glanced at the card and returned it to the journalist without acknowledgment. The act was seen as humiliating, and those nearby who had intended to introduce themselves quietly withdrew. That moment set the tone for his reputation in Islamabad, where many found him distant and unwelcoming.
Diplomatic insiders suggest that his demeanor often offended those who attempted to engage with him, with even a simple handshake sometimes interpreted as unwelcome. This stood in stark contrast to the easygoing nature of his predecessors, who were known for building strong ties with Pakistani society and the press. Rumors circulated early on that he would not remain in Pakistan for long, and his premature departure appears to confirm those predictions.
Interestingly, news of his exit has been met with sighs of relief among journalists and officials who had struggled to connect with him. While the reasons for his early departure remain unclear, his tenure will likely be remembered as one of the most unusual and strained in the history of Spanish diplomacy in Pakistan.
