Tariq Fatemi denotified as SAPM on foreign affairs soon after appointment

• Fatemi denotified a day after his appointment as PM's aide on foreign affairs.
  
• Fatemi designated as minister of the state, Cabinet Division announces.
  
• Fatemi is a retired diplomat who holds a long association with the ruling PML-N.

ISLAMABAD: Former diplomat Syed Tariq Fatemi has been denotified as SAPM on foreign affairs a day after he was appointed to the post, a notification in this regard said.

However, Fatemi has been designated as a minister of the state, the Cabinet Division announced in a notification on Thursday.

"In partial modification of this Division's earlier notification of even number dated 20th April 2022, the Prime Minister, in terms of rule 4(6) of the Rules of Business, 1973, read with serial number 1A of Schedule V-A of the said Rules, has been pleased to withdraw the portfolio of “Foreign Affairs” from Syed Tariq Fatemi, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister, and grant the status of Minister of State," the Cabinet Division's latest statement said.

“The prime minister, in terms of rule 4(6) of the Rules of Business, 1973 read with serial No1A of Schedule V-A of the said rules, has been pleased to appoint Syed Tariq Fatemi as special assistant to the prime minister on foreign affairs, with immediate effect,” a notification issued for Fatemi's appointment read.

Fatemi is a retired diplomat and has a long association with the PML-N. He is considered a close aide of former PM Nawaz Sharif and served in the same position when the PML-N last ruled.

It is important to note that the PML-N’s coalition partner PPP is currently holding the charge of the Foreign Office with Hina Rabbani Khar as state minister while PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari is expected to become the foreign minister.