ISLAMABAD: The Foreign Office has strongly condemned the slander campaign against the appointment of Munir Akram as Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations as ‘reprehensible’.
In a weekly briefing on Thursday, Foreign Office spokesman Dr Mohammad Faisal was asked to comment on the removal of Maleeha Lodhi after the successful visit of Prime Imran Khan to the United Nations and the allegations against the new envoy.
“Why was Dr Maleeha Lodhi removed as the Permanent Representative to the United Nations despite the Prime Minister’s successful visit that she ably arranged? Why was Mr Munir Akram appointed in her place despite allegations against him and when will he proceed to New York?.” asked a reporter.
Dr Faisal said: “I believe that Dr Maleeha Lodhi was replaced after the completion of her tenure”.
Rejecting the allegations against Pakistan’s new envoy, he said, “Unfortunately, there has been a slander campaign against the appointment of Ambassador Munir Akram, which is reprehensible”.
He said that Akram is a distinguished and experienced member of the Foreign Service of Pakistan and an eminent diplomat whose contributions are internationally acknowledged and recognised.
“His contributions are internationally acknowledged and recognized. He will assume his duties in New York soon,” the foreign office spokesman said.
