Dr Faisal, who previously served as Foreign Office spokesperson and ambassador to Germany, is widely regarded as a frontrunner to succeed Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch upon her anticipated retirement in September
Ansar Mahmood Bhatti
ISLAMABAD, FEB 8 /DNA/ — In a major diplomatic overhaul announced today, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has approved a comprehensive reshuffle involving 24 senior postings and transfers within Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, aimed at revitalizing the country’s overseas representations across critical regions including Europe, North America, the Middle East, and neighboring states.
Among the most prominent changes, Captain (retd) Usman Tipu has been nominated as Pakistan’s new High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, succeeding Dr Faisal in London. The UK mission remains one of Pakistan’s most strategically vital postings, given its central role in fostering political ties, providing consular services, and engaging with the large Pakistani diaspora.
Dr Faisal, who previously served as Foreign Office spokesperson and ambassador to Germany, is widely regarded as a frontrunner to succeed Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch upon her anticipated retirement in September.
In a notable shift from domestic public-facing duties, current Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Hussain Andrabi has been appointed as Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva, placing him at the helm of multilateral diplomacy on key international issues.
Neighboring Afghanistan sees a leadership change with Dr Syed Asad Ali Gillani (also referred to as Syed Asad Ali Gilani) designated as the new Ambassador to Kabul, replacing Ubaidur Rehman Nizamani.
Ambassador Nizamani has been reassigned to Stockholm as Pakistan’s Ambassador to Sweden. The reshuffle extends to the Gulf with Bilal Ahmad transferred from Pakistan’s UN mission in Geneva to serve as Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, taking over from Ahmed Farooq, who is set to return to headquarters in Islamabad after completing his tenure.
Other significant moves include Mudassar Tipu (or Mudassir Tipu) relocating from Iran to become Ambassador to Uzbekistan, while Salman (previously based at the Prime Minister’s House) has been named Ambassador to Germany. Sania Afzal Qazi takes up the role of Ambassador to Thailand, bolstering ties in Southeast Asia.
Additional appointments cover Asim Ali Khan as Ambassador to Norway, Asad Shahzad as Ambassador to Uganda, Siraj Ahmad Khan as Consul General in Los Angeles, and Muhammad Faisal Abroo as Consul General in Montreal.
The broad scope of these transfers underscores Islamabad’s ongoing efforts to adapt its diplomatic cadre to evolving regional priorities and prepare for leadership transitions within the Foreign Office.
Pakistan Ambassadors in China and Greece are likely to continue despite expiry of their tenures. Reports suggest they have been granted an extension in service.
