ISLAMABAD, Aug 16: Shahid Malik will replace Pakistan High Commissioner to India Aziz Ahmed Khan whose term ends this month. Government sources told Dawn on Wednesday that Mr Malik’s name had been approved by the prime minister and the president.

The government is in the process of approaching the Indian government for his agreema.

Mr Khan, who was appointed high commissioner to India in June 2003, will continue until Mr Malik gets the green signal from New Delhi, the sources said. “The whole process could take a month or so,” they said.

At present, Mr Malik is serving as high commissioner to Canada.

It is learnt that Riffat Masood, director Saarc at the foreign ministry, will be posted as counsellor (political) at the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi. She is expected to proceed to India next month.

Meanwhile, signals from New Delhi suggest there may also be a change of guard at the Indian High Commission here.