NEW YORK, Nov 28: Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva, Munir Akram, would take over as the country’s permanent representative at the UN headquarters in New York from April, well informed sources here told Dawn.

Mr Akram would replace Shamshad Ahmad following his retirement in March. Mr Ahmad has been given three months to wind up meetings and conferences he has already been committed to.

Mr Akram as Pakistan’s top diplomat would seek a non-permanent seat at the UN Security Council next year.

He has lead Pakistan’s mission at Geneva for the last three years and has taken part in vigorous debates at the World Trade Organization pleading the case of the developing countries. He has been involved in the talks at the UN conference on disarmament. He has also served as the first secretary at Pakistan’s mission to the UN.