New envoys to India, China, Japan appointed

Qureshi announces the decision in a video statement after meeting PM Imran

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan approved on Monday appointments of over two dozen ambassadors in various countries including key capitals New Delhi and Beijing.

The appointments were long due as several Pakistani missions were without envoys since the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-led government took charge in August last year.

The decision came after a detailed meeting with PM Imran, who formally approved the new appointments, said the foreign minister in a video statement during the day.

Among the appointees include Mueenul Haq, the current Ambassador to France, who has now been named as Pakistan’s high commissioner to New Delhi.

Mueen is a career diplomatic and previously served as chief of protocol at the Foreign Office. The post of high commissioner to India fell vacant after Sohail Mehmood was appointed foreign secretary.

The high commissioner will be taking up the new diplomatic assignment at a time when Narendra Modi is expected to return to power for the next five years after the recent elections.

FM Qureshi expressed the hope that Mueen would perform his new job with best of his abilities.

Confirming the major appointments, the FM said Naghmana Hashmi, career diplomat, was being sent to China. She will replace Masood Khalid, the incumbent envoy to China, after completion of his tenure.

Similarly, Additional Secretary Imtiaz Ahmad has been appointed Ambassador to Japan while Zaheer Janjua, currently serving as additional secretary to Europe, will look after the Pakistani mission in Brussels.

Qureshi further said that Additional Secretary Amina Baloch was appointed Ambassador in Malaysia, Javed Khattak in Portugal, Saqlain Sayeda in Nairobi, Kenya, Rukhsana Afzal in Singapore, Khalid Jamali in Czech Republic and Ataul Munim in Algeria.

Imran Haider was appointed as Ambassador in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, Major General Abdul Aziz Tariq in Brunei and Major General Muhammad Khalid Rao in Bosnia Herzegovina.

The foreign minister said consull generals appointed included Khalid Majeen in Jeddah, Ayesha Abbas Khan in New York.

He said Muazzam Ali Khan was being appointed Special Secretary of Foreign Ministry while Ambassador in Kuwait Ghulam Dastagir will replace him in Abu Dhabi.

Qazi Khalilullah, Qureshi added, the current Ambassador to Moscow, was being given an extension of six months because of his performance.

The foreign minister expressed the hope that the newly-appointed ambassadors and consul generals will play a pivotal in promoting the soft image of Pakistan and will adopt the best behaviour with Pakistani community living abroad.