In diplomatic protocol, the handshake between women and men depends mainly on the culture, traditions and diplomatic protocol of the respective countries. There are generally three principles established for female diplomats.

If female diplomats follow international protocol, they generally shake hands, taking into account the traditions of the host country. The second principle, which is considered personal preference, is one in which female diplomats shake hands according to their personal or religious preferences or use alternative gestures. The third is the culture of the society, in which female diplomats shake hands to show formal respect. This principle is very common in diplomacy.

In international protocol, female diplomats or stakeholders generally shake hands because handshake is a legal requirement in international protocol. No matter what culture they are from, they have to do it. Benazir Bhutto was the first female prime minister of Pakistan. She shook hands with male world leaders on many occasions during her tenure, but her action was in accordance with her diplomatic etiquette and protocol.

Similarly, former foreign minister of Pakistan Hina Rabbani Khar shook hands with various male heads of state and foreign ministers during meetings at the international level. Dr. Maleeha Lodhi, who has served as Pakistan's permanent representative to the United Nations, shook hands with male leaders in many international meetings.

Handshake is a common diplomatic and social tradition in Western countries. Women and men shake hands without any hesitation.

However, most Muslim female diplomats avoid shaking hands out of respect for the traditions of the host country and instead use a slight bow or other gestures of respect. In diplomacy, everyone respects the traditions and diplomatic etiquette of the host country. If a handshake is not considered appropriate in a country, an alternative method is adopted.

Men and women from Western countries prefer handshakes, but when they go to a Muslim country as a guest, they generally prefer the culture of that country. In Pakistan, female diplomats wear a headscarf, a rule that is followed by women diplomats visiting Pakistan from Western countries. Female diplomats visiting Arab countries go as guests according to the culture of that country.

Many female diplomats from Pakistan who shake hands in international protocol, use a slight bow or other gesture of respect as an alternative to a handshake in the culture. One doesn’t follow international and personal preference protocol in the host country, but instead social protocol. Hina Rabbani Khar, Benazir Bhutto and Dr. Maleeha Lodhi shook hands in international protocol, but in social protocol, they bowed slightly or used other gestures of respect as alternatives to a handshake.

A picture went viral recently showing first woman chief minister of Punjab, Maryam Nawaz, shaking hands with the president of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, in a meeting. Maryam Nawaz also shook hands during her visit to China, but she does not do so in the case of local lawmakers and ministers. Instead, she slightly bows or uses other gestures of respect.

If Maryam Nawaz shook hands with members of her cabinet or parliament, that would be following the second principal of diplomatic protocol: personal preference. However, personal preference is not applicable to the host country, but the guest, so personal preference cannot be implemented here.

If Maryam Nawaz was a guest in a foreign country and shook hands, it would have been appropriate under international protocol. But she was the host, so she had to follow her social protocol, which she did to some extent, according to her personal preference.

Host leaders always apply their social protocol. Pakistan's social protocol does not follow handshakes with women, but rather a slight bow or any other gesture of respect.

UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan was a guest in Pakistan, and not on an official visit. Had he come for a summit or a state visit, then he would have had to follow international protocol involving a handshake. But a hand is shaken with one hand, the right hand. However, Maryam Nawaz broke this protocol and shook both hands. Such a handshake is used for closeness, an expression of emotions or a strong relationship.

Instead of a slight bow or other gesture of respect, Maryam shook hands. Then, instead of a single handshake, she used both hands. She violated the rules of international protocol because the guest was not on an official visit under state protocol.

The chief minister applied the protocol of personal preference out of her own choice. In a double handshake, if one hand is placed on the wrist or arm, it is considered as a sign of power and control.