Ambassador Saleem has previously worked at the highest echelons of Pakistan Foreign Service, including as Foreign Secretary, Special Secretary, Additional Foreign Secretary, Head of the Foreign Service Academy and Director General for European Affairs. He also served as Pakistan’s ambassador to Germany, Italy, Bosnia & Herzegovina, and Bahrain, as well as Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), and the World Food Program (WFP).

He was the elected President of 38 member country International Development Law Organization (IDLO) from 2020-2022.

Ambassador Saleem studied English Literature, Government, International Relations and International Economics at Government College University, University of Pennsylvania, and Johns Hopkins. He also did a fellowship at Georgetown University and served as adjunct faculty member of prestigious universities in Europe and USA. He also contributes regularly to print and electronic media as an international relations expert.