Pakistan appoints new ambassador to United Nations

In this picture taken 07 March 2003, Pakistan's Ambassador to the United Nations Munir Akram delivers a speech to the United Nations Security Council in New York. (File/ AFP)
  • Replaces Dr. Maleeha Lodhi with Ambassador Munir Akram
  • Lodhi says she 鈥榟ad planned to move on after UNGA following a successful visit by the PM鈥�

ISLAMABAD: Only a few days after Prime Minister Imran Khan addressed the 74th session of United Nations General Assembly, Pakistan鈥檚 foreign office announced the appointment of Ambassador Munir Akram as the country鈥檚 permanent representative to UN on Monday.
A veteran diplomat, Akram will replace Dr. Maleeha Lodhi who became Pakistan鈥檚 ambassador to the world鈥檚 most prestigious intergovernmental forum in February 2015. The coveted diplomatic post was also held by Akram for six years under the Pervez Musharraf regime.
It is not clear what prompted Prime Minister Imran Khan to make the change within a few days after wrapping up his trip to the United States where he met a number of world leaders, including US President Donald Trump, and highlighted the Kashmir issue.
However, Pakistan鈥檚 foreign ministry also announced several other appointments on Monday.
Lodhi, who was originally chosen to represent her country at the UN by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) administration, wrote in a twitter post: 鈥淚t has been an honor to serve the country & am grateful for the opportunity to do so for over four years. Representing Pakistan at the world鈥檚 most important multilateral forum was a great privilege.鈥�
She added that she 鈥渉ad planned to move on after UNGA following a successful visit by the PM.鈥�
鈥淚 am humbled by the appreciation I have received for the PM鈥檚 visit and the support I have also received over the years,鈥� she continued. 鈥淚 wish my successor Munir Akram the best of luck.鈥�