ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has approved the appointment of Foreign Service career officer Syed Ibne Abbas as Pakistan’s new High Commissioner to the United Kingdom.

Abbas would be the first Foreign Service officer to be Pakistan’s envoy to London in 15 years.

The position was previously held by political appointees.

Various successive governments in Pakistan have made political appointments in the UK to ensure that their political and monetary interests remained protected.

Syed Ibne Abbas is a distinguished Foreign Service officer who earlier served as High Commissioner to New Zealand 2010-13.

He was Pakistan Deputy High Commissioner to India 2001-03. He also served as Director General South Asia desk 2005-06 and Consul General Los Angeles 2006-10.

At present, Abbas is serving as additional secretary administration at the Foreign Office since the past one year. He joined the Foreign Service in 1983.