Islamabad: In a sudden development,
Pakistan`s Foreign Office has replaced its spokesman Abdul
Basit, who was today appointed to the post of Additional
Secretary (Europe).
Tehmina Janjua, a senior diplomat, was named as the
Foreign Office`s new spokesperson.
She was serving as Director General in the Foreign
Secretary`s Office.
Basit will also look after the affairs of the Friends
of Democratic Pakistan Forum, officials said.
Basit was in line for an ambassadorial posting for
some time.
His appointment as an Additional Secretary days after
senior Pakistan People`s Party leader Shah Mahmood Qureshi was
removed from the foreign affairs portfolio triggered
speculation in diplomatic circles about the reasons for the
move.
Sources said the move was part of efforts to place
officials who were more in line with PPP-led government`s
policies in key positions in the Foreign Ministry.
PTI
