Ali Jahangir Siddiqui steps down as Pakistan's envoy to US

Siddiqui was appointed by former premier Shahid Khaqan Abbasi earlier this year

Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States, Ali Jehangir Siddiqui, has stepped down from his post on the directives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs , Express News reported.

Asad Majeed, who is currently serving as the country's envoy to Japan, will be replacing Siddiqui in Washington. Majeed will depart for Washington in the first week of January. Rizwan Sheikh will be overseeing the affairs of the Pakistani mission till Majeed assumes office.



Siddiqui was appointed by former premier Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on March 8, 2018, to serve as Pakistan’s ambassador to Washington.

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government had instructed politically appointed foreign envoys to vacate their offices by December 7. Complying with the order several politically appointed diplomats had stepped down from their post.

Siddiqui had sought an extension of two weeks to vacate office, which was accepted by the foreign ministry.