ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court on Monday told the government to explain Ali Jahangir Siddiqui’s appointment as Pakistan’s ambassador to the US.
Siddiqui, the scion of a prominent business family in Pakistan, was nominated as ambassador-designate on March 8. His lack of diplomatic experience was immediately called into question by critics.
The court told the government to explain the appointment in the presence of experienced diplomats who are capable of being ambassador to the US.
The court sought the explanation while hearing a petition that claimed that Siddiqui’s appointment lacked merit and was done on the basis of favoritism. The petition asked the court to declare the appointment null and void.
Siddiqui was previously a special assistant to Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, but he was appointed to that post in August 2017.
Siddiqui, the scion of a prominent business family in Pakistan, was nominated as ambassador-designate on March 8. His lack of diplomatic experience was immediately called into question by critics.
The court told the government to explain the appointment in the presence of experienced diplomats who are capable of being ambassador to the US.
The court sought the explanation while hearing a petition that claimed that Siddiqui’s appointment lacked merit and was done on the basis of favoritism. The petition asked the court to declare the appointment null and void.
Siddiqui was previously a special assistant to Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, but he was appointed to that post in August 2017.
