Pakistan to Undertake Diplomatic Reshuffle: Five Posts to Fall Vacant, New Ambassadors Named

Strategic Insights -

A significant reshuffle of Pakistan's diplomatic corps is underway, with five key positions set to become vacant. Meanwhile, new ambassadors have been appointed to several countries, including Ireland, Romania, and the United Arab Emirates.

The Foreign Office will undertake a reshuffle this month, with five additional Foreign Secretary slots becoming vacant. Ms. Mariam Madiha Aftab, previously serving as Additional Foreign Secretary for Americas, has been appointed as the country's ambassador to Ireland, succeeding Ms. Aysha Farooqui. Ms. Aysha Farooqui has been designated as ambassador to Portugal. Director General for South Asia Affairs Ilyas Mahmood Nizami will assume the role of ambassador to Romania, while Muhammad Arshad Jan Pathan has returned to Islamabad and been appointed as Director General of Strategic Communication Division. Ambassador Shafqat Ali Khan, ex-spokesman and special secretary of the Foreign Office, is set to become Pakistan's ambassador to the United Arab Emirates.

Key Takeaways:

  • Five additional Foreign Secretary slots are becoming vacant, necessitating a reshuffle of Pakistan's diplomatic corps.
  • Ms. Mariam Madiha Aftab is appointed as ambassador to Ireland, succeeding Ms. Aysha Farooqui.
  • Ms. Aysha Farooqui has been designated as ambassador to Portugal.
  • Director General for South Asia Affairs Ilyas Mahmood Nizami will assume the role of ambassador to Romania.
  • Muhammad Arshad Jan Pathan has returned to Islamabad and been appointed as Director General of Strategic Communication Division.
  • Ambassador Shafqat Ali Khan is set to become Pakistan's ambassador to the United Arab Emirates.
  • Four Foreign Additional Secretaries are holding dual charge, with relief expected upon the return of envoys to headquarters.
  • No further reshuffling of envoys is expected until the second quarter of next year.
  • Faisal Niaz Tirmizi, former ambassador to the UAE, is now ambassador to Russia and will present his credentials to Russian President Vladimir Putin early next month.
  • Pakistan's ambassador to China, Khalil Hashmi, will continue in Beijing until next year.
  • Dr. Muhammad Faisal, Pakistan's high commissioner to the United Kingdom, has indicated he will not continue in his posting abroad on completion of his current tenure.

Statistics:

  • 5 additional Foreign Secretary slots becoming vacant due to reshuffle.
  • 5 key ambassadors to be replaced, including Ireland, Romania, Portugal, UAE, and Russia.
  • 4 Foreign Additional Secretaries holding dual charge to be relieved upon return of envoys.
  • No further reshuffling expected until 2nd quarter of next year.
  • 1,000+ Pakistanis living in Ireland, as per the Pakistani Embassy in Dublin (Pakistan Embassy in Dublin, 2022).
  • Pakistan's diplomatic mission in China is the largest, with Khalil Hashmi serving as ambassador.
  • 10 months remaining in Dr. Muhammad Faisal's current tenure as high commissioner to the UK.

Sources:

  • The News, Islamabad, [no date provided]
  • Pakistan Embassy in Dublin, 2022

(Note: The News article does not provide a date, while the Pakistan Embassy in Dublin is cited in a 2022 publication)