WASHINGTON, Oct 12 One of the major tasks awaiting Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi in the US capital is to assure the American administration and Pakistani diplomats that Ambassador Hussain Haqqani still enjoys Islamabad's confidence.

A flurry of media reports, all originating in Islamabad, claim that Mr Haqqani is on his way out.

The reports say that Mr Haqqani may be asked to return to Pakistan and replace presidential spokesman Farhatullah Babar who wants to retire.

Those who know Mr Haqqani, however, find it difficult to believe this report.

Mr Haqqani may or may not be replaced but his friends say that he does not want to return home. Even if forced to step down, he would prefer to stay in the United States.

But the news of his possible removal, even if incorrect, also found space on respectable American websites on Monday after some Pakistani newspapers posted a report distributed by the Online news agency.

The report not only predicted Mr Haqqani's removal but also of some other senior members of the PPP government, such as Fauzia Wahab.

The US media pointed out that the reportedly planned shuffle comes after an unexpected furore that has erupted in the wake of a $7.5 billion Pakistani assistance package passed by Congress earlier this month.