Pakistan reshuffles top diplomats, appoints Tahir Andrabi as UN envoy

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s government has approved a series of key diplomatic appointments and transfers, including the replacement of the foreign office spokesperson and the nomination of a new high commissioner to the United Kingdom.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif approved 24 major postings and transfers within the foreign ministry, reshuffling several senior diplomatic positions.

Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi has been appointed as Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations.

Captain (retd) Usman Tipu has been named Pakistan’s new High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, replacing Dr Faisal. Dr Faisal, who is currently serving in London, is considered a strong candidate for the position of foreign secretary following the retirement of Amna Baloch in September, according to sources.

In other appointments, Bilal Ahmad has been posted to Saudi Arabia from Pakistan’s mission to the United Nations in Geneva, replacing Ahmed Farooq, who will return to Islamabad. Mudassir Tipu has been transferred from Iran to Uzbekistan.

Dr Syed Asad Ali Gillani has been appointed ambassador to Afghanistan, while Ubaid ur Rehman Nizamani has been posted to Sweden. Salman, currently serving at the Prime Minister’s House, has been appointed ambassador to Germany, and Sania Afzal Qazi has been named ambassador to Thailand.

Asim Ali Khan has been appointed ambassador to Norway, Siraj Ahmed Khan as consul general in Los Angeles, Asad Shehzad as ambassador to Uganda, and Muhammad Faisal Abro as consul general in Montreal.

Sources also said that Khalil Hashmi in China, Ali Javed in Italy and Aamir Aftab Qureshi in Greece have been granted extensions despite completing their official terms.