By Muhammad Luqman
In what appears to be an attempt to strengthen its role in the ongoing intra-Afghan peace process, Pakistan has appointed veteran diplomat Mohammad Sadiq as its first special envoy for Afghanistan.
“The Government of Pakistan has appointed Ambassador (R) Mohammad Sadiq as Special Representative for Afghanistan,” Foreign office spokesperson, Aisha Farooqui announced on Monday.
The news of Sadiq’s appointment became public when he called on Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi in the capital, Islamabad on Saturday. According to official news agency, APP, the foreign minister felicitated Ambassador Sadiq on his new assignment and hoped that the appointment of an experienced diplomat on the crucial position would help further strengthen Pak-Afghan ties.
United States and NATO also have special representatives for Afghanistan. United States Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad has regularly been visiting Afghanistan and Pakistan to help expedite Afghan peace process.
Ambassador Stefano Pontecorvo has recently assumed the duties of NATO’s Senior Civilian Representative in Afghanistan. He was earlier working as Italy’s ambassador in Pakistan.
Mohammad Sadiq, Pakistan’s first special envoy to Afghanistan, is a career diplomat who retired in 2016 from the position of secretary of the national security division. He was Pakistan’s ambassador in Kabul during between December 2008 and April 2014.
He also served as Foreign Office spokesperson for about one and a half years. He was also posted in Washington DC (1998-2000), Beijing (1994-1998) and Brussels.
