Daily Times

Following the removal of Pakistan’s High Commissioner to United Kingdom Sahibzada Ahmed Khan, the Foreign Office (FO) has moved a fresh summary to Prime Minister Imran Khan for the appointment of new envoy to UK, with the name of former spokesperson Nafees Zakaria on the top of the list.

“Pakistan’s Ambassador to Germany Johar Saleem, Naghmana Hashmi, ambassador to Belgium, and Foreign Ministry Additional Secretary Zaheer Janjua are also named in the list,” a source privy to the development told Daily Times on Sunday.

Sahibzada Ahmed Khan is currently in London, but he was not allowed to work as the high commissioner that was why he did not accompany Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa during his recent meetings with top British defence officials.

The FO had recommended appointment of Sahibzada Ahmed Khan as Pakistan’s ambassador to Cuba, but the summary was not approved by the government.

Former journalist and analyst Kamran Shafi is currently serving as Pakistan’s ambassador to Cuba. He was appointed by former prime minister Nawaz Sharif three years ago 2015 on “political grounds”. His contract had expired in August 2018.

The Pakistan’s Embassy in Havana was opened in 2007. It is a small mission with only two officers – ambassador and another first secretary, who acts as deputy head of the mission. There is no Pakistani community in Havana at all except those students who are studying in various Cuban medical universities.

According to sources, Nafees Zakaria is likely to be appointed new high commissioner to UK given his “good service record”. He had earlier served in the Pakistan High Commission in London as deputy high commissioner. He had also served as the consul general in Toronto and later as spokesperson for the Foreign Office. The final decision will be made by the prime minister on the recommendation of the Foreign Ministry for the new envoy to London.

Meanwhile, Pakistan’s career diplomats serving as ambassadors in Singapore, Philippines, and Hungary are retiring this month and a summary is being prepared for the appointment of new envoys to these countries.

Published in Daily Times, October 15^th 2018.