Just after his maiden address to the UN, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has done a major reshuffle in the diplomatic arena. Pakistan Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York, Maleeha Lodhi has been relieved of her duties and is to be replaced by Munir Akram.
Akram had earlier served as the permanent representative for Pakistan from 2002 to 2008.
No reason has been given for the removal of Maleeha Lodhi. Pakistan has done this push after the country has failed to in its attempts to garner major international support against India. In his maiden speech which crossed the fifteen-minute threshold, Pakistan PM Imran Khan in his speech which lasted around fifty minutes had charged India for its activities in Kashmir and its decision to abrogate article 370. According to Pakistan, India’s decision in Kashmir has left no room for dialogue and warned the world of a potential fallout between the two nuclear powers.
Akram, who earlier served as the permanent representative at the United Nations in New York, had been dismissed by President Zardari after his fallout with regards to bringing up the issue of the assassination of Benazir Bhutto in the UN.
The diplomat specialises in multi-lateral diplomacy given his experience as the Permanent Representative of Pakistan in New York and Geneva. He was marred in controversy after allegations were made against him of Domestic Violence by his partner, Marijana Mihic. The case had been settled out of court and the diplomat was not charged under the crime due to his diplomatic immunity as given to him under the Vienna Convention of Diplomatic Relations of 1961.
(Inputs from agencies)