Abdul Basit appointed as new envoy to India: FO

Basit will replace Salman Bashir on February 28.

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has appointed Abdul Basit as Pakistan’s high commissioner to India, the foreign office announced in a statement on Monday.

Basit joined the foreign service in 1982 and has held various assignments in Pakistan missions abroad and at the headquarters, including as the foreign office spokesperson.

His predecessor, Salman Bashir, is expected to relinquish charge of office on February 28, to return home.

Bashir, a former foreign secretary, still has some time left in his contract extended to him by the PPP government, but Nawaz Shairf government wanted a nominee of its choice in New Delhi.

Since May, 2012, Ambassador Abdul Basit, a distinguished career diplomat, has been representing Pakistan in Berlin.

He has previously served at Pakistan’s missions in Moscow, New York, Sana’a, Geneva and London.