Tehmina likely to become next foreign secretary

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s permanent representative (PR) for the United Nations' Geneva Mission Ambassador Ms Tehmina Janjua will be next foreign secretary of the country to replace Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry. She will be 29th foreign secretary of the country and first woman foreign secretary of Pakistan.

Highly placed sources told The News here other day that Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry will become Pakistan’s ambassador for the United States.

The incumbent ambassador in Washington Syed Jalil Abbas Jailani, who had earlier served as foreign secretary would be completing his tenure in January next as he is on extension after completing his earlier contractual period.

Ms Tehmina Janjua, who had earlier served as Pakistan’s ambassador to Italy and served at various important foreign slots had also worked as spokesperson of the Foreign Office for about two years. Ms Janjua is a down to earth diplomat who has praiseworthy command over her job. She had meeting with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif last month here in Islamabad as she came here for attending the Envoy’s Conference. She has been given go ahead signal by the prime minister, who is also retaining the portfolio of the Foreign Affairs.

The sources indicated that the formal agreement of appointment of Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry would be sought from Washington next month.

The sources said that three other names were also under consideration for the slot of the foreign secretary, including Pakistan’s former ambassador to France and former Chief of Protocol Ghalib Iqbal, Pakistan’s High Commissioner for India Abdul Basit and ambassador for China Masood Khalid, but the proposal about their nomination has been dropped due to various reasons.

The official announcement pertaining to appointment of new foreign secretary would be made once the agreement regarding Aizaz Chaudhry is received from the US capital, the sources said. With the change of the foreign secretary major reshuffle would take place in country’s envoys in important capitals. Changes will also take place within the Foreign Office as well. The new foreign secretary will authorise the changes, the sources added.

Syed Jalil Abbas Jailani, who is an experienced and talented diplomat, has shown disinterest in further extension as Washington’s mission of Pakistan will have yet another ace diplomat as ambassador in shape of Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry, the sources said.

Ms Tehmina Janjua’s spouse Mansur Ahmad is also a diplomat, and he is currently serving in country’s mission in Switzerland. The talks between Pakistan and India’s Foreign Secretaries would be hosted by Aizaz Chaudhry if take place next week, the sources reminded.