In a surprising move, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government has appointed Ali Jehangir Siddiqui Pakistan's former ambassador to United States during PML-N government as ambassador-at-large for foreign investment. According to a notification of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, issued here Friday, Siddiqui will work in honorary capacity with effect from June 13, 2019.
"The Prime Minister of Pakistan has been pleased to approve the appointment of Ali Jehangir Siddiqui, as ambassador-at-large for foreign investment in an honorary capacity with effect from 13th June, 2019", the notification stated. Siddiqui was earlier appointed as Pakistan's ambassador to Washington by PML-N's former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on March 8, 2018. The then opposition, PTI had opposed his appointment being a political appointee of the PML-N in the important capital.
However, in December 2018, the PTI government granted two week extension to Siddiqui to continue his diplomatic assignment. Siddiqui also served as Special Assistant to the Prime Minister of Pakistan with the status of Minister of State during the PML-N's previous government.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2019