Eight new ambassadors-designate call on PM

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has appointed new ambassadors in eight important countries including two permanent members of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Russia and France.
The new ambassadors had meeting with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif here at the PM House Tuesday and sought his guidance regarding their new assignment. The premier reminded them that the government had decided to make diplomacy and economic ties integral with each other. The envoys will have to devote attention with their host countries on political relationship but they would be bound to give equal amount of attention to the economic relations during their stay at foreign capitals.
According to the PM House Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif impressed upon the ambassadors to work hard in their respective countries of accreditation for improving bilateral relations and enhancement in the positive image of Pakistan. The ambassadors-designate have been asked to highlight Pakistan’s position pertaining Kashmir issue, its fight against terrorism, its policy of peaceful neighbourhood, and striving for the regional as well as world peace.
Spokesman of the Foreign Affairs Qazi Khalilullah who is also Director General (DG) in the Foreign Office has been appointed Pakistan’s ambassador for Russia in place of Zaheer Janjua. Qazi Khali has served in Central Asian States and he is well versed with Russian language.
Moinul Haq who is studying course for promotion will be replacing country’s ace diplomat Ghalib Iqbal in Paris for ambassador to France. Interestingly Ghalib Iqbal was chief of protocol before his posting in Paris three years ago and he was replaced by Moin who is going to replace him again in French capital.
Jauhar Saleem is replacing Javaid Hussain as ambassador for Germany. Javaid has attained superannuation.Director General Europe Division in the Foreign Office Mazhar Javaid has been posted as ambassador for Nepal from where Arshad Saud Khosa has completed his tenure.
Afrasiab Mehdi Qureshi is proceeding to Wallington as high commissioner for New Zealand to replace Ms. Zehra Akbari. Afrasiab was previously high commissioner for Bangladesh in Dhaka.Director General Africa Division in the Foreign Office Babar Hashmi is going to Sofia as ambassador for Bulgaria to replace Jamshaid Iftikhar.
Zahid Ali has been ambassador in Khartoum for Sudan and an intellectual in his own right Nadir Chaudhry is preceding to Rabat as ambassador for Morocco.
The sources said that Ghalib Iqbal who has done exceptionally well on Paris is returning home and he would be assigned an important slot in the headquarters. It has also been said by the quarters concerned that Ghalib Iqbal could replace Pakistan’s ambassador for China Masood Khalid who has also completed his tenure in Beijing.
The consul generals designate who called on Prime Minister Nawaz are included Jabbar Memon (Los Angeles, USA) and Ahmad Naseem Waraich (Frankfurt, Germany).
The meeting between prime minister and the ambassadors-designate was also attended by Special Assistant to PM for Foreign Affairs Syed Tariq Fatemi, Secretary to the PM Haji Javaid Aslam, Additional Secretary to the PM Fawad Hasan Fawad, Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry and other senior officers.
In the meanwhile minister for Planning & Development Professor Ahsan Iqbal called on Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif at PM House on Tuesday. Prime minister was briefed regarding various development projects by him. The premier appreciated efforts of the minister regarding capacity building of the Ministry’s officials that has resulted in enhanced performance of the Ministry. The prime minister appreciated the transparent mechanism adopted by the Planning & Development Ministry in its affairs.
The prime minister also appreciated efforts of the Minister Planning & Development regarding saving measures adopted in various projects that has resulted in significant savings for the national exchequer.
The premier said on the occasion that the fast-track process of project’s’ planning, monitoring and evaluation undertaken by Planning Commission should be maintained.