ISLAMABAD: Days after a terror attack in Muscat, Pakistan has removed its two top diplomats from the Middle East Desk of its Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan (MOFA).
According to the media report, the Pakistan diplomats were removed following criticism from Prime Minister Sharif and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar over alleged “culpable negligence” by officials.
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Director General Fauzia Fayyaz and Director Saadia Awan, both female diplomats, were reassigned from their positions after reportedly mishandling an important meeting with a high-level delegation from the Oman Embassy in the wake of the Muscat terror attack.
The decision, detailed in a notification obtained by Zahid Gishkori, was quick and did not involve a formal hearing, despite one officer reportedly being on leave.
Additional Secretary Rizwan Saeed, responsible for the Middle East, retains his position amid speculation over his future role as Pakistan’s Ambassador to the USA.
Meanwhile, MOFA spokesperson Mumtaz Zehra Baloch denied negligence as the reason for their removal, promising further clarification later.
