ISLAMABAD, Nov 22: With Ambassador Husain Haqqani bowing out, guessing games about his replacement in the embassy in Washington have started.

Observers here suggested that Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir could be the likely successor even as other names, including Jalil Abbas Jilani, Ambassador of Pakistan to the EU, Belgium and Luxembourg; former chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen Ehsanul Haq; and former ambassador to Washington Maleeha Lodhi, also made rounds. Mr Bashir, who is set to retire as foreign secretary in March, is considered to be hot favourite because of his reputation of being acceptable to the powerful military establishment.

Besides, he is someone who also gets on well with the civilian leaders.

Having managed the tricky Pakistan-US ties as foreign secretary, Mr Bashir is well aware of issues in the relationship and is expected to fit in the role more easily.

Mr Abbas Jilani, who is related to Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, may move to Islamabad as new foreign secretary. The prime minister had met Mr Jilani over the weekend in Lahore and is reported to have briefed him on the new assignment.