Upcoming appointment: Ibne Abbas likely to be new envoy to UK

The position has been vacant since the PML-N took over in June last year.

ISLAMABAD: The government is likely to appoint Syed Ibne Abbas as Pakistan’s new High Commissioner to the United Kingdom (UK), officials said.

Abbas, who is a career diplomat, joined the Pakistan Foreign Service in 1983. He has served as Pakistan’s envoy in New Zealand.

According to official sources the government had decided to appoint Abbas as new envoy to London, a position that has been lying vacant since the Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N) took over in June last year.

Initially, the government wanted to appoint Kamran Shafi, a retired army official and renowned columnist, as the High Commissioner to UK. However, his name was dropped after apparent opposition from the security establishment.

Abbas was also originally named for the key diplomatic position in New Delhi. However, that decision
was reversed as the government appointed Abdul Basit as High Commissioner to India.

Sources familiar with the development said the formal announcement of Ibne Abbas’ appointment would be made following the completion of diplomatic formalities.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 8^th, 2014.