ISLAMABAD, July 9: The Foreign Office will have a new spokesman next month as Jalil Abbas Jilani has been nominated for a 10-month course at the National Defence College, it is learnt. He was appointed spokesman for the foreign ministry in February. Mr Jilani, who was also director-general, South Asia division, at the ministry, was expected to relinquish charge in the first week of August when the course commenced, sources told Dawn on Saturday.

The course is mandatory for promotion to grade 21.

The names of Additional Secretary, Americas, Shahid Kemal; East Asia, Pacific Division DG Mohammed Naeem Khan and Additional Secretary, Policy Planning, Shaheen Gillani, are reportedly under consideration for the spokesman’s post.

Kashmir Affairs Director Syed Ibne Abbas is a strong candidate for the post of the South Asia division DG. The name of Middle East Division DG Akhtar Tufail was also under consideration, the sources said.