ISLAMABAD: Only a few days after Prime Minister Imran Khan addressed the 74th session of United Nations General Assembly, Pakistan’s foreign office announced the appointment of Ambassador Munir Akram as the country’s permanent representative to UN on Monday.
A veteran diplomat, Akram will replace Dr. Maleeha Lodhi who became Pakistan’s ambassador to the world’s 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’s 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: “It 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’s most important multilateral forum was a great privilege.”
She added that she “had planned to move on after UNGA following a successful visit by the PM.”
“I am humbled by the appreciation I have received for the PM’s visit and the support I have also received over the years,” she continued. “I wish my successor Munir Akram the best of luck.”
Pakistan appoints new ambassador to United Nations
Pakistan appoints new ambassador to United Nations
- Replaces Dr. Maleeha Lodhi with Ambassador Munir Akram
- Lodhi says she ‘had planned to move on after UNGA following a successful visit by the PM’
Pakistan and Morocco plan permanent defense framework, military training cooperation
- Defense Minister Khawaja Asif is on a two-day official visit to Morocco where he will meet his counterpart
- Talks come as Muslim countries have expressed growing interest in developing defense ties with Pakistan
ISLAMABAD: Defense Minister Khawaja Asif on Tuesday said Pakistan and Morocco will establish an institutional framework for permanent defense ties, paving the way for future cooperation in military training.
Asif is undertaking a two-day visit to Morocco from Jan. 12-14 to hold meetings with Morocco’s Minister of State for National Defense Administration Abdel Latif Loudayi. The visit comes as several Muslim nations have expressed interest in defense agreements with Pakistan following its performance in the brief conflict with India last year.
According to a social media post shared by Asif, Pakistan and Morocco are expected to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to enhance defense cooperation during his visit.
“Under the agreement, an institutional framework will be established for permanent defense links,” he announced in a post on Instagram.
“The MoU will also open new avenues for future collaboration across various defense and security sectors, including military training, exchange of experiences, capacity building, and other joint initiatives.”
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DTcZYrwgvVY/?
Asif added that he would also lead delegation-level talks aimed at enhancing cooperation in areas of mutual interest between Pakistan and Morocco.
Pakistan and Morocco share longstanding friendly relations, with strong diplomatic, defense and economic ties reinforced by periodic high-level visits and bilateral agreements.
In April last year, the Pakistani and Moroccan armies launched the third edition of their joint bilateral military exercise to enhance professional skills of soldiers and strengthen defense ties.
In November 2024, Moroccan Air Force Inspector Major General Mohammed Gadih met Pakistan’s Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu to express interest in collaborating with the Pakistan Air Force in the aerospace sector.
