Washington: Rizwan Saeed Sheikh, the newly appointed ambassador-designate to the United States, is expected to arrive in Washington this week, according to diplomatic sources.
In late June, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Islamabad announced that Additional Foreign Secretary (Middle East and SIFC) Rizwan Saeed Sheikh would take over as the country’s envoy to the United States. This change comes after the previous ambassador, Masood Khan, received a three-month extension following the expiration of his contract in March, which ended in June.
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The ministry’s spokesperson indicated that the appointment was under consideration for several weeks before the official announcement was made.
Other candidates for the Washington D.C. position reportedly included Zahid Hafeez Chaudhry, the High Commissioner to Australia, and Dr. Maleeha Lodhi, the former envoy to the U.S., UN, and UK.
Mr. Sheikh is also anticipated to address the influence of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party in the United States, particularly its recent endorsement by Congress through a resolution supporting the party’s demands.
