Pakistan mulling to appoint new envoy to US
Pakistan’s envoy in Geneva Khalil Hashmi being considered strong candidate for key ambassadorial post
July 04, 2023
- PM Shehbaz Sharif seeks summary to appoint new envoy.
- Consultations held on calling back Ambassador Masood Khan.
- Decision likely after return of FM Bilawal Bhutto from Japan.
ISLAMABAD: Khalil Hashmi — Pakistan's envoy to Geneva — has emerged as a strong candidate to replace Masood Khan as the country's ambassador in Washington, The News reported Tuesday.
According to the publication, the coalition government is mulling appointing a new envoy to the US as Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif sought a summary of the proposed candidates to replace Khan.
The government had been holding consultations on calling back Ambassador Khan and after the process was completed, a summary of the proposed names was sought from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the report stated citing sources.
A decision in this regard would possibly be taken following the return of Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, who is currently visiting Japan.
Masood Khan's profile
Washington had issued the agrément for the appointment of Sardar Masood Khan as ambassador to the US in February 2022, months after former prime minister Imran Khan nominated the diplomat for the post.
Khan had served the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in different capacities since 1980, before his elevation as the AJK president in 2016 by the Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz government.
A vocal and strong advocate of Kashmir’s accession to Pakistan, Masood effectively highlighted the sufferings of the oppressed Kashmiris that warrant an effective strategy to end the never-ending holocaust.
He also served as the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs from August 2003 to March 2005, before becoming Pakistan’s ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations and International Organisations in Geneva, Switzerland, from 2005 to 2008.
He was also Pakistan’s ambassador to China between September 2008 and September 2012 and Permanent Representative to the United Nations, New York, between October 11, 2012 and February 7, 2015.
