Picked by Hasina govt, Iqbal Hussain new HC to Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Bangladesh has appointed Muhammad Iqbal Hussain Khan as its new High Commissioner (HC) to Pakistan to replace Rooh el Alam Siddiquee, who has completed four years of his Islamabad posting.

Iqbal who is a career diplomat is currently Director General Foreign Service Academy. He was designated envoy for Pakistan and it was among the last shuffling made by ousted government of Hasina Wajid in Bangladesh Foreign Service.

Dhaka had sought agreemaunt (consent for posting of the envoy of the host country) for Iqbal from Islamabad. The diplomatic sources told The News here Friday that with the change of the guards in Dhaka, it would be difficult to ascertain that new administration of the Bangladesh would stick to the posting. His appointment was made in mid-July by Bangladesh Foreign Office.

In normal course Iqbal Hussain should be here by end of August. If new administration changes its mind, his posting could be replaced with new face, the sources pointed out.

Iqbal joined Bangladesh Foreign Service in 2001. He is currently serving as Director General at the Foreign Service Academy, Dhaka. Prior to that, he was serving at the Ministry as Director General heading the West Asia Wing of his ministry. In his diplomatic career, he has served in different capacities in Bangladesh Missions in Jeddah, London, Moscow and Abu Dhabi. Lastly, he was the Bangladesh Consul General in Dubai. Incumbent high commissioner in Islamabad Rooh Siddiquee could not be contacted for his comments since his cell phone wasn’t answering the call.