Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has removed its special envoy to Afghanistan Asif Durrani, says a media report.
The Express Tribune reported Durrani was relieved of his diplomatic assignment with effect from 10 September, 2024.
The ambassador has been removed from his position due to differences over the Afghanistan policy, Dawn quoted a diplomatic source as saying.
In a text message, Durrani confirmed his departure, expressing gratitude to the leadership for allowing him to serve Pakistan.
“While the military was unhappy with his performance, Durrani, too, had grown increasingly frustrated as his policy advice was regularly ignored,” the newspaper said.
Seen as an outsider in the Foreign Office due to his unique assignment, he was required to report to and take directions from the military.
“He, therefore, felt excluded from Afghanistan-related discussions within the Foreign Ministry,” the report added.
He had reportedly voiced his aversion to the mass deportations of undocumented Afghans and suggested a low-key approach to resolving the issue.
Strict military oversight severely limited his diplomatic flexibility, leaving him with little space to maneuver in talks with interim Afghan government officials.
Durrani had replaced Muhammad Sadiq as Pakistan’s special representative to Afghanistan in May 2023. The position was created after the Doha Accord in 2020.
sa/mud
Views: 5
