‘The Currency of Influence’ explores economic and public diplomacy through lived experience and scholarly depth
By Imtiaz Hussain
SUKKUR: Sukkur IBA hosted the launch of The Currency of Influence: Economic Diplomacy and Public Perception Through Public Diplomacy, a new book by Ambassador Dr. Ahmed Ali Sirohey, a senior official at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and former Ambassador of Pakistan to Niger. The event, organised by the university’s Case Research Center (CRC), brought together academics, students, and guests to celebrate a significant contribution to diplomatic literature.
In a message marking the occasion, Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Asif Ahmed Shaikh praised the author’s decades-long contribution to Pakistan’s international standing. “Book launches like this celebrate the vital contributions of scholars and practitioners such as Dr. Ahmed Ali Sirohey, whose distinguished career in diplomacy has greatly enriched Pakistan’s international presence. This event inspires our academic community and reinforces our commitment to knowledge-sharing and intellectual growth.”
Pro Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Mir Muhammad Shah formally welcomed the distinguished diplomat and acknowledged the significance of the publication for the university’s learning ecosystem. “This book will significantly benefit our academic community, especially students at the beginning of their educational journey,” he said, reaffirming Sukkur IBA’s dedication to global awareness and quality education.
Ambassador Dr. Sirohey addressed the audience with reflections from his diplomatic career, sharing stories that underscored the enduring value of cultural understanding and patient negotiation. Recalling his tenure in Niger and broader African engagements, he noted that soft power often yielded more sustainable outcomes than coercive approaches. “Diplomacy rooted in empathy and cultural context can achieve what force often cannot,” he said.
The book, published in 2024 by AISL Publications and introduced by former Foreign Secretary Sohail Mahmood, is a comprehensive study on the strategic uses of economic and public diplomacy. With 23 chapters—12 focusing on public diplomacy and 11 on economic diplomacy—Dr. Sirohey offers a blend of theory and firsthand experience to analyse how nations shape international perceptions and advance national interests.
Assistant Professor Syed Sikander Ali Shah of the Department of Media & Communication delivered an academic review of the book, calling it “a masterpiece of modern diplomatic scholarship.” He praised its exploration of soft power and human-centric approaches to foreign policy, noting its strong relevance for Pakistan’s contemporary global role.
The launch concluded with an interactive Q&A session, during which students and guests engaged with the author on the evolving challenges of diplomacy in the 21st century.
