Senior foreign ministry official said that the term of contract of 15 PPP appointed ambassadors serving in different countries ended.
In a shake-up of the foreign office, over a dozen ambassadors of the country who had been appointed to key positions across the globe are being called back before the new government takes oath.
Sources informed The Express Tribune that all politically appointed ambassadors under the previous government of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), will now await a decision of the new government on whether they will be retained or not.
Talking about the development, a senior foreign ministry official said that the term of contract of 15 PPP appointed ambassadors serving in different countries ended with the completion of the tenure of the government that appointed them. However, the caretaker government had decided that all political appointees in foreign countries would remain on their posts until a new elected government took charge. Since the new government is all set to take office in the first week of June, all such ambassadors and high commissioners are being called back pending a decision on their fate, revealed sources.
There are currently 14 countries where the PPP appointed ambassadors are currently serving. Some of those countries include India, United Arab Emirates (UAE), United Kingdom (UK), Sri Lanka and the United Nations. Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States Sherry Rehman was the only political appointee who has tendered her resignation following the deafeat of her party in the May 11 polls.
A PML-N leader, speaking on condition of anonymity, told The Express Tribune that the new government might consider retaining the services of some of these ambassadors.
Those whose services might be retained include Pakistan’s High Commissioner to India Salman Bashir and Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Masood Khan, both retired Foreign Service officials with established credentials in the diplomatic community.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 28th, 2013.
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Yes its time for Atta ul Haq qasmi to become ambassador, a little reward for his day and night hardwork for NS!!
At this stage where Pakistan's economy was crucified by the previous regime's it's but imperative that beside middle east n Europe new government needs to give extreme care n appoint or establish a strong commercial section (experts in economics, loyal, honest n hardworking individuals) in the Far Eastern countries especially Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, Sri Lanka n Burma. Indonesia for Palm Oil/spices, plywood, tea,etc almost 60-70% of needed raw material, goods/services are available n directly could be taken from here (avoiding Singapore/it's added profit margins); Malaysia Palm Oil, IT n low cost housing construction; Vietnam importation of rice n encouraging private sector Pakistan investors to go Vietnam/Burma; Sri Lanka for tea; government must avoid political or uneducated appointees in these countries. At least since 1979 above mentioned countries have been neglected by previous governments. Pakistan need Strong Commercial Sector7 in these countries. We are at this end n willing to assist new government if it choose or wish our help.
Time to get rid of PPP baggage. There are also Counselors and Attache's without education credentials appointed by the PPP all over the world. They too should be discharged and all those who appointed non-service officers should be made to answer for them, in fact heavily fined. Nothing focuses a mind better than losing money in your pocket.
Did no one at ET notice the cover image for this story says MINSITRY of Foreign Affairs Pakistan?
Hurried action in this direction could be counter productive?