ISLAMABAD: Khalil Hashmi, Pakistan’s envoy to Geneva, is being considered a strong contender to replace Masood Khan as the ambassador in Washington.
As reported, the coalition government is considering the appointment of a new ambassador to the United States. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has requested a summary of the potential candidates to replace Khan.
According to sources, the government had conducted consultations to recall Ambassador Khan. Once the consultations were concluded, a summary of the suggested names was requested from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
A decision regarding this matter is likely to be made after the return of Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, who is currently on a visit to Japan.
Ambassador Masood Khan’s Profile
In February 2022, Sardar Masood Khan received the agreement from Washington, allowing his appointment as the ambassador to the US. This occurred several months after former Prime Minister Imran Khan had put forward Khan’s name for the diplomatic position.
Before assuming the role of AJK president in 2016, Sardar Masood Khan had served in various capacities within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs since 1980. His tenure in the ministry spanned different roles and responsibilities. The appointment as AJK president was made by the Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz government.
Masood Khan has been a vocal and passionate supporter of Kashmir’s accession to Pakistan. He effectively brought attention to their suffering, emphasizing a comprehensive strategy to bring an end to the ongoing crisis.
Furthermore, Masood Khan served as the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs from August 2003 to March 2005. Subsequently, he held the position of Pakistan’s ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations and International Organizations in Geneva, Switzerland, from 2005 to 2008.
Additionally, Sardar Masood Khan served as Pakistan’s ambassador to China from September 2008 to September 2012. He then assumed the role of Permanent Representative of the UN, holding the position from October 2012 to February 2015.
