Pakistan to replace Six Ambassadors in important Capitals
Pakistan Times National News Desk

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is contemplating to change its ambassadors in at least six important capitals in a few weeks time.

Diplomatic sources say that Pakistan has decided to appoint new ambassador to Afghanistan in place of Akbar Zaib Khan, who assumed his responsibilities in Kabul only last month.

Tariq Azizuddin Khan, chief of protocol at the Foreign Office, is replacing him and is expected to take up his new assignment in about a month after receipt of his agreema.

Akbar Zaib Khan has returned to Islamabad after relinquishing his charge in the Afghan capital. Tariq Azizuddin Khan, who comes from a distinguished family of Peshawar having intimate contacts with influential people in Afghanistan, has already served in Afghanistan twice.

He has command over all the languages spoken in various parts of Afghanistan, including Pushto, Persian, Darri and Brahavi. He will take up the ambassadorial assignment for the first time in Kabul.

New Delhi and Riyadh

Likewise, Islamabad would make up its mind next month for posting its new envoys in New Delhi and Riyadh.

Pakistan’s Ambassador to Qatar Ayaz Wazir Khan has come back to headquarters after completing his tenure and has been posted Director General Afghan desk. Asghar Afridi will be Pakistan’s new ambassador in Qatar.

Tunisia, Zimbabwe

Faiz Khosa will be ambassador to Tunisia vice Naeem Jan Khan who has attained the age of superannuation and is retiring early next month.

Ms Riffat Iqbal has been assigned responsibilities of high commissioner to Zimbabwe on a seat that was lying vacant, the sources said.

The Philippines

Naeem Khan, spokesman of the Foreign Office will be Pakistan’s ambassador in Manila as Ambassador to the Philippines Iftikhar Kazmi has already left for another ambassadorial assignment. Ashraf Qureshi, additional secretary for South Asia and Asia-Pacific region, has been nominated for the slot of high commissioner to South Africa, the sources said.

Similarly, the government is to decide early next month about its envoys in New Delhi and Riyadh where Aziz Ahmad Khan and Admiral Abdul Aziz Mirza are respectively going to complete their contractual tenure in about eight weeks.

Replacement in New Delhi

Pakistan’s Ambassador to Germany Asif Aizadee, High Commissioner to Canada Shahid Malik and Ambassador to Japan Kamran Niaz are being considered for the replacement in New Delhi if Aziz Khan is not given an extension, while incumbent naval chief Shahid Karimullah is being tipped for posting in Saudi Arabia after his retirement in October next, the sources indicated.●