PESHAWAR: The Afghan government named a career diplomat, Najibullah Alikhil, as its new ambassador to Pakistan on Thursday, the Afghan foreign ministry has said.
Alikhil takes charge at a time when key intra-Afghan talks between the Kabul government and the Afghan Taliban are about to begin. Pakistan is considered key in arranging the dialogue.
“The Afghan government appointed ambassadors to posts in 13 World capitals,” the foreign ministry said in a statement. “Najibullah Alikhil was nominated as the new Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan to Islamabad, Pakistan.”
Alikhil, who is fluent in Dari, Pashto, English and Russian, brings with him 28 years of experience working with the Afghan ministry of foreign affairs and since March 2016 was Director General of Security Cooperation and Border Affairs at the ministry. He has served as Afghan envoy in Turkmenistan and Hungary and as a non-resident ambassador to Romania.
Alikhil replaces Atif Mashal who resigned in July this year, citing “personal reasons.”
“Unlike political appointees, Alikhil is a career diplomat with rich diplomatic experience,” said Hikmat Safi, a former adviser to Abdullah Abdullah who leads the High Council for National Reconciliation. “I believe his appointment will bring the two neighbors closer to mend their fraught ties.”
In recent months, Islamabad and Kabul have been involved in a diplomatic row over what both sides claim is harassment of diplomatic staff at their respective high commissions.
Last October, Afghanistan shut down its consulate in Peshawar over the removal of the Afghan national flag by Pakistani authorities from a disputed marketplace, which Kabul said belongs to Afghanistan.
Afghanistan appoints career diplomat Najibullah Alikhil as new ambassador to Pakistan
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Afghanistan appoints career diplomat Najibullah Alikhil as new ambassador to Pakistan
- Unlike political appointees in the past, Alikhil brings with him 28 years of experience working with the Afghan foreign ministry
- Takes charge at a time when key intra-Afghan talks between Kabul government and the Afghan Taliban are about to begin
Pakistan to face Sri Lanka in T20 series on Wednesday as World Cup preparations intensify
- The series will help selectors finalize Pakistan’s 15-member squad for the T20 World Cup starting next month
- Pakistan will play all World Cup matches in Sri Lanka, making the series key for adapting to local conditions
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan will take on Sri Lanka in a three-match Twenty20 international series starting on Wednesday in Dambulla, as the visitors step up preparations for next month’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, to be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka.
The series, with matches scheduled for Jan. 7, 9 and 11, is expected to play a key role in shaping Pakistan’s final 15-member squad for the World Cup, which begins on Feb. 7. Pakistan will play all of their World Cup fixtures in Sri Lanka, making the bilateral series an important chance to adjust to local conditions and finalize combinations.
Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha said the team would use the series to assess players and build momentum ahead of the global tournament.
“The series provides a great opportunity for everyone to perform,” Salman said at a pre-series news conference.
“Playing here ahead of the World Cup is a significant advantage for us, and we will look to acclimatize to the conditions as quickly as possible,” he continued.
Salman will continue to lead a T20 side that enjoyed a strong 2025, winning two tri-series tournaments and bilateral series against Bangladesh, West Indies and South Africa. The captain said the management was keen to test emerging players alongside established names.
“We have good players in our squad who are future prospects,” he added. “We want to give them opportunities, and I am hopeful they will deliver strong performances in the series.”
Pakistan have had the edge in recent T20 meetings with Sri Lanka, winning three of their last five encounters, including a knockout match at the ACC Men’s T20 Asia Cup in Dubai and the final of a tri-series in Rawalpindi.
Wednesday’s opening match will begin at 7 p.m. local time in Dambulla.
