ISLAMABAD: The controversy surrounding the secret diplomatic cable has cast a shadow on the appointment of a new foreign secretary as the government could not take a decision to name the chief diplomat and instead made a ‘stopgap’ arrangement.
The position of foreign secretary fell vacant after incumbent Sohail Mehmood retired on Thursday after reaching the age of superannuation.
It was earlier reported that Asad Majid, who wrote the cypher in March as Pakistan’s Ambassador to Washington, would be appointed as the new foreign secretary.
But as the new audio leaks surfaced bringing once again to the spotlight the diplomatic cable, which the former prime minister Imran Khan has cited as evidence of US controversy behind his removal through a vote of no-confidence earlier in the year, has apparently pushed the government to review its decision.
“Mr Jauhar Saleem, a BS-22 officer of foreign service of Pakistan, presently posted as special secretary, Europe, is assigned look after charge of the post of secretary, foreign affairs, in addition to his own duties, with immediate effect and until further orders,” read a notification issued by the Establishment Division.
Sources said the government’s move was a stopgap arrangement as Cyrus Qazi, a grade-21 officer of the foreign service and outgoing Ambassador to Turkey, will eventually be appointed as the new foreign secretary. –Agencies
