ISLAMABAD: The government is reported to have made up its mind to fill the important position of the country’s high commissioner in London as media came up with reports on Monday evening that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had picked up a career diplomat for the post.

Although the nomination of Ibne Abbas could not be officially confirmed, it appears that Kamran Shafi, the government’s earlier choice, is no more in the run.

Speaking off the record, a senior official at the Foreign Office confirmed the selection of Mr Abbas who is at present working as additional secretary Europe at the foreign affairs division.

In October last year, the government decided to appoint columnist Kamran Shafi to the post. His nomination was officially confirmed by the Foreign Office.

But soon after the news of his appointment appeared in the media, reports started emerging that the General Headquarters (GHQ) wasn’t happy with his selection.

Mr Shafi had served as press secretary to the former prime minister Benazir Bhutto.

“The development clearly shows the government has succumbed to the pressure of the powers that be,” commented a senior journalist who regularly writes on civil-military affairs.

A source close to the Prime Minister’s Office confirmed that the process of appointing a new high commissioner to London had been initiated.

The post has been lying vacant since April when the PPP-appointed Wajid Shamsul Hassan relinquished the charge.

Soon after the change of government in June last year, PPP’s Sherry Rehman resigned as ambassador to Washington, but Mr Hassan was asked by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to continue until the government found a replacement.

In October last year, Mr Abbas was appointed as high commissioner to India, but because of seniority issues and reported differences between Adviser on Foreign Affairs and National Security Sartaj Aziz and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Tariq Fatemi, the decision could not be finalised.

Naila Chohan, who at present is working as Director General Middle East, has been chosen as high commissioner to Australia.

Published in Dawn, July 8th , 2014