Govt may review appointment of non-career diplomats, says IHC

E-Paper | June 16, 2026

ISLAMABAD: Justice Athar Minallah of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday disposed of a petition filed against the appointment of Ali Jahangir Siddiqui as Pakistani’s ambassador to the United States.

Justice Minallah observed that the petition was filed against the previous regime for making such appointment and it was now up to the new government to review the appointments of non-career diplomats.

The petition was filed by advocate Hassan Murtaza Mann and Barrister Sajeel Shaharyar.

The petition requested the high court to set aside the nomination of Mr Siddiqui for being “ultra vires of the law, Constitution and policies” and direct the government to withdraw the “impugned order”.

Highlighting that Pakistan’s ambassador to the US should be known for “experience, achievements and eminence in the arena of diplomacy in the best interest of the nation”, the petitioners had requested the court to direct relevant authorities to appoint a suitable candidate.

Published in Dawn, October 12th, 2018

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Rehan Ahmed

Oct 12, 2018 07:45am

Non carriers diplomats? What better did we get so far from carrier diplomacy..

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Khawja Azizuddin

Oct 12, 2018 07:53am

Its a regrettable disgrace for Pakistan to appoint Ali Jahngir Siddiqui as a diplomat Without any experience or maturity to be a carrier diplomat as a Ambassador to United States. Appointing him at this key strategic position is like appointing a high school student without any medical degree to be posted as a professor of brain surgery. What a pathetic choice!

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Life

Oct 12, 2018 08:18am

Not only the petition but the petitioner should also be thrown out of the court for bringing such an absurd application and wasting the time of the court.

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Ahram

Oct 12, 2018 08:30am

This state in monarchy, one can get any appointment if he is well connected. Our respected ambassador is no exception or maybe many.

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Magnanimous approach

Oct 12, 2018 08:45am

IHC verdict is most appropriate, let the new government decide, but so far Ali Jehangir Siddiqui,performing well. During the recent visit of FM Shah Mehmood Qureishi, Ali Jehangir was seen active and helpful. Finding a new Ambassador for US is a tedious job, if the foreign office and relevant institutions okays, let him continue

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wsyed

Oct 12, 2018 08:50am

Ali Jahangir Siddiqui's appointment as envoy to the US must be reviewed. It is of immense importance to Pakistan as the relations between the two countries are going through upheaval. His appointment seems highly irregular and sudden, so investigation is warranted, why the foreign minister is silent is also perplexing?

Recommend 0

Babar Hussain

Oct 12, 2018 09:19am

Non career diplomats must be removed from those countries where we need career foreign service employees from strategic point of view.

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Asad

Oct 12, 2018 11:07am

Every ambassador regardless of the assigned country must be given a specific target such as increase in trade or import of technical know how, or educational visas, or increase tourism, etc. If they don't meet the target cut their salary in half for the next year and if they still don't meet the target the next year give the job to someone else. Additionally, each ambassador must be required to give a monthly update to his/her boss back in Pakistan. Most of these ambassadors think they are on a boondoggle trip with family wasting taxpayers' money.

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javed

Oct 12, 2018 11:49am

Jahangir Siddiqui as Ambassador to USA should be replaced immediately. He is a man of disrepute. One wonders why the decision for his removal have not been taken since change of Government.

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Zulfi

Oct 12, 2018 12:18pm

@Asad Well said

Recommend 0

Shib

Oct 12, 2018 12:35pm

@Asad you have very rightly put the PKIs for our Ambassador's...First they should be career diplomats no more political appointments..Every year there should be performance review of each and every Ambassador...On the basis of their performance their tenure should be extended...

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Falcon1

Oct 12, 2018 01:31pm

Anyone appointed by PML-N goverment to such posts abroad should be reviewed, starting with this guy, If unqualified, they should be promptly replaced and brought home. Underqualified or unqualified people can only damage bilateral relations with other nations, who have no business dealing with sensitive matters.

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Aamir KHAN

Oct 12, 2018 01:35pm

@Life wasting time? Tax payers money is being wasted on a political favour for such a strategic post. Even Sheerin Rehman of PPPP would have been a better choice...

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aslam

Oct 12, 2018 01:39pm

How about non-career politicians who have no clue as to what they are doing.

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