ISLAMABAD, March 31: Pakistan embassy in Kabul will soon see a change of guard as the serving Pakistani ambassador, Mr Rustam Shah Mohmand, has made a formal request to the Foreign Ministry for his replacement, Dawn learnt through reliable sources on Wednesday.

According to the sources, the ambassador had cited some 'domestic problems' as the reason for relinquishing charge ahead of the expiry of his contract. Ambassador Rustam Shah, a former commissioner for refugees in Pakistan, is a civil service officer serving on a contract basis with the foreign ministry.

He was appointed ambassador to Afghanistan more than two years ago. Meanwhile, consultations have already started in Islamabad to find an "appropriate person" for this key and challenging ambassadorial post.

Foreign Office as the lead name-identifying institution is currently preparing a list of in-service nominees that would include serving diplomats. Senior career diplomats, including a serving ambassador to one of the Nordic countries, are among the probables to be short-listed, the sources told Dawn.

The list of probables is to be shortly forwarded to President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Jamali for a final decision. While there is no indication yet of who leads the race, informed sources maintained that a political appointment for the diplomatic slot is unlikely.

Afghanistan remains a high priority country for Islamabad and it is keen to maintain friendly relations with Kabul. Pakistan has actively participated in the process of peace, security and reconstruction in Afghanistan. As a neighbouring country it is mindful that a stable Afghanistan is in Pakistan's own interest.

After the adoption of the new Afghan Constitution by the Loya Jirga on Jan 4, Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali was the first world leader to visit Kabul to express solidarity and support for endeavours of President Karzai and the ongoing political process in Afghanistan.

Pakistan has pledged $100 million as aid to Afghanistan of which more than 20 per cent has already been disbursed in areas prioritised by the Afghan government.

Pakistan signed the Declaration on Good Neighbourly Relations with Afghanistan and its neighbouring countries in Kabul in Dec 2002. Last year Pakistan-Afghanistan relations saw a downward trend following the July 8 armed attack on Pakistan's embassy in Kabul and border skirmishes. However, this trend was arrested with the swift intervention of Mr Karzai, who tendered an apology and promised compensation.