Gen Akbar appointed ambassador to Saudi Arabia
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ISLAMABAD: The government has nominated retired Lt Gen Bilal Akbar as the new ambassador to Saudi Arabia.
Gen Akbar would replace Ambassador Raja Ali Ejaz, who is retiring from service in May. Mr Ejaz, a career diplomat, has been the ambassador in Riyadh since January 2019.
The ambassador’s position in Riyadh has often been held by retired military officers, reflecting the fact that defence ties form the bedrock of the strong bilateral ties, although the posting has at times remained with diplomats from the foreign service as well.
Retired generals are appointed against the 20 per cent quota for political appointees. Besides the mission in Riyadh going back to a general, ambassadors in Brunei, Jordan, Syria, Sri Lanka, Ukraine, the Maldives, Nigeria and Libya are retired armed forces officers.
Appointment indicates military’s desire to take control of bilateral ties that have lately been hit by turbulence
The Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf government has rarely made political appointments against ambassadorial positions. Therefore, currently most of the quota for non-careerists is being utilised by the retired military officials.
Gen Akbar had retired from the army in December last year. His last appointment was chairman of Pakistan Ordnance Factory (POF), Wah.
He had a bright career in military where as a three-star general he also served as chief of general staff and commander of Rawalpindi-based 10 Corps. Many were taken by surprise when in September 2019, months before Army Chief Gen Qamar Bajwa started his extended tenure, he was posted as POF chairman.
Gen Akbar’s appointment on the recommendation of the General Headquarters indicates military’s desire to take control of the bilateral ties that have lately been hit by turbulence to prevent them from further deterioration. Saudi Arabia had atypically asked Pakistan to repay the loan by not agreeing to its rollover, as per the initial understanding. Pakistani workers in the kingdom too were laid off during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Riyadh, meanwhile, got closer to New Delhi and Prime Minister Narendra Modi was invited to the key financial conference and the two countries launched a Strategic Partnership Council to guide their relations.
The new assignment would, therefore, be a challenging one for Gen Akbar.
Published in Dawn, January 20th, 2021
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Comments (125) Closed
Jan 20, 2021 08:17am
Nice....now establishment has come into civil services too.
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Jan 20, 2021 08:20am
IK has already taken care of the Saudis by shockingly throwing billions back at them, and then reminding them of some 'ground realities'. All set now. :)
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Jan 20, 2021 08:22am
Great, HeIs, honest!
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Jan 20, 2021 08:23am
Why don't we appoint generals to all embassies around the world.
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Jan 20, 2021 08:31am
At this rate....civilians will have no jobs in the government.
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Jan 20, 2021 08:33am
General (r.) Bilal Akbar had done wonderful job in Karachi as Sindh Rangers DG.
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Jan 20, 2021 08:34am
General (r.) Bilal Akbar had done wonderful job in Karachi as Sindh Rangers DG.
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Jan 20, 2021 08:36am
All the Senior Officers who were impacted due to Chief's three year extension will be given similar plum assignments. It's time to replace Envoys to US, UK, Canada, UAE, Germany etc with retired Officers.
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Jan 20, 2021 08:36am
Just declare martial law and openly control please. We are all exhausted by PTI criminal incompetence anyways.
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Jan 20, 2021 08:37am
Retired generals are appointed against the 20 per cent quota for political appointees. "
This is a news to me that army has ensured post retired rehabilitation for its Generals having such quote including granting them free governmant land from 50 acres to 250 acres.I remembered Gen Kayani getting 250 acres of governmant land as gift on retirement .One of the comments I recollect " Nothing new for services rendered to nation by them"
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Jan 20, 2021 08:40am
Establishment is still in geo political mood
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Jan 20, 2021 08:40am
Pakistan makiy good progress
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Jan 20, 2021 08:41am
Under the current barely warm relations between our two countries required a highly seasoned diplomat not a retired army person to be our ambassador. Yet I wish General Akbar a great success in his mission.
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Jan 20, 2021 08:42am
If the current trends cintiy, IKN will have a humiliating end and will be kicked out by people, forget about pdm
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Jan 20, 2021 08:42am
Gen Akbar’s appointment on the recommendation of the General Headquarters indicates military’s desire to take control of the bilateral ties that have lately been hit by turbulence to prevent them from further deterioration.""
But we are told time and again that military minds its own business and foes not interfere in running governmant.
Appointmenting Ambassador's or high commissioner must then be part of Pindi charter of duties.
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Jan 20, 2021 08:43am
Good. The best way to reward an individual for the selection of government three years ago. Others got promotions and extensions.
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Jan 20, 2021 08:44am
Very good selection...
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Jan 20, 2021 08:44am
What about the foreign service professionals???
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Jan 20, 2021 08:49am
Gen Bilal Akbar was the one who brought peace to Karachi by decimating the Indian sponsored terrorist network.
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Jan 20, 2021 08:51am
IK has fulfilled his promise of providing millions of jobs to the downtrodden.
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Jan 20, 2021 08:52am
General (r.) Bilal Akbar was the most successful DG of Sindh Rangers.
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Jan 20, 2021 08:52am
Saudi is favorite destination for our armed forces pre and post retirement.
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Jan 20, 2021 08:57am
Is the civilians are so incapable that even at foreign service also army man is required or the story is something different "as usual"?
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Jan 20, 2021 09:00am
why not two generals are given post of ambassador. One as Ambassador and one as joint Ambassador and even one more general can be accommodated as additional joint ambassador. Even if someone still jobless after retirement, new positions can be created.
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Jan 20, 2021 09:01am
Why is a general taking over a bureaucrat’s seat.....what are his qualifications for this...what a joke
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Jan 20, 2021 09:03am
Is KSA not now willing to trust PTI people?
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Jan 20, 2021 09:04am
@Fastrack, uae demanding 2billion .....
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Jan 20, 2021 09:06am
Is this some kind of cruel joke being played with people of Pakistan?
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Jan 20, 2021 09:07am
Sorry state of Pakistan...retired generals everywhere.
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Jan 20, 2021 09:12am
Merit is at its lowest in Naya Pakistan. But who cares?
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Jan 20, 2021 09:16am
How people accepts all this ?
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Jan 20, 2021 09:17am
A general as Ambassador
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Jan 20, 2021 09:22am
A successful Sindh Rangers DG.
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Jan 20, 2021 09:25am
@Imran , totally true .
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Jan 20, 2021 09:25am
This is how you destroy your career diplomats.
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Jan 20, 2021 09:27am
Pakistan administrative services could not produce any good talent?
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Jan 20, 2021 09:30am
And you ask why pakistan never progresses.
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Jan 20, 2021 09:32am
@SachBol , Induct them into the army as honorary generals .
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Jan 20, 2021 09:36am
Kudos, This is how democracy is supposed to function under military.
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Jan 20, 2021 09:36am
It is fact Pak-Saudi military ties are deep rooted, which military can handle it .
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Jan 20, 2021 09:46am
Didn't Bajwa and IK say that military will not meddle with politics and matters unrelated to defence?
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Jan 20, 2021 09:48am
Good move to honour a warrior who has given blood, sweat and soul to the nation.
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Jan 20, 2021 09:49am
Interferance in Civil affairs should halt
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Jan 20, 2021 09:52am
These generals are really smart. Is there anything they can't do?
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Jan 20, 2021 09:56am
Why is civilian Govt required at all , only to blame ?
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Jan 20, 2021 10:03am
They are the Elite class of poor Pakistan, they are our rulers and they are establishment.
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Jan 20, 2021 10:14am
A retired army guy as ambassador? What civilians are for?
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Jan 20, 2021 10:24am
Experience in foreign affairs?
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Jan 20, 2021 10:24am
In no other democratic country does the Army become a part of foreign policy
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Jan 20, 2021 10:37am
FO will reject this!
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Jan 20, 2021 10:44am
@Fastrack, Those billions were obtained through Loans I guess..........
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Jan 20, 2021 10:55am
this confirm who runs the show here
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Jan 20, 2021 10:56am
The new appointment to likely check the deteriorating trend in bilateral relations and provide further fillip to Pak-Saudi defense cooperation.
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Jan 20, 2021 10:58am
@Fastrack, billions back by taking another loan. Good Move by IK?
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Jan 20, 2021 10:59am
this is an indication of a hybrid government. the ambassadorial positions should exclusively be occupied by pakistan foreign and diplomatic service. any appointment from outside of the PFS weakens the ability to conduct the diplomatic and foreign relations matters efficiently. perhaps this is the reason for pakistan's many diplomatic failures.
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Jan 20, 2021 11:04am
@Fastrack, keep a few more billions ready, UAE is going to ask them back too. Time to dial up China again
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Jan 20, 2021 11:04am
General Headquarters recommends appointment of Ambassador! Great way of decision making!
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Jan 20, 2021 11:04am
I wonder!
If a Professional soldier has diplomatic experience?
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Jan 20, 2021 11:07am
First they took care of internal affairs, top jobs, and financial institutions. Now army is reaching out to external affairs. It’s getting very clear who is running the government.
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Jan 20, 2021 11:08am
How can a General be made an ambassador. It is dangerous to involve the military in diplomatic matters as they have no sense of diplomacy but war.
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Jan 20, 2021 11:09am
Civilian government where there no civilians who are present but military men. What a farce in the name of democracy. North Korea is more transparent than the land of the pure.
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Jan 20, 2021 11:09am
WOW just amazing now Generals will be ambassadors.
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Jan 20, 2021 11:10am
Good to see Imran Khan has decided to leverage the excellent institutional ties between the Pakistan military and KSA to order a retired general be sent as Ambassador to Riyadh. Bravo!
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Jan 20, 2021 11:30am
Also ,few day back ispr issue statement that military shouldn't be dragged into politics but if are government then be ready to get critized.
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Jan 20, 2021 11:38am
Based on what qualifications? This is a diplomatic post.
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Jan 20, 2021 12:00pm
General Akbar is a strategic posting as Saudis want to withdraw from Yemen and need professional advice on all matters of war in Yemen.
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Jan 20, 2021 12:14pm
Pakistan needs to move away from despotic Arab regimes for it's long term interests.
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Jan 20, 2021 12:19pm
Another civilian job lost to retd general ..now he will get hefty pension ,many plots,and hefty salary and perks as a ambassador ..no country other than ME would accept him as a ambassador for controversial role in Karachi operation due to extrajudicial killing under his watch
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Jan 20, 2021 12:20pm
So, he will take pension from tax payers money and the salary of an ambassador as well. Every one is looting the country and poor masses !
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Jan 20, 2021 12:21pm
So now General and military will do the job of civil servants??? This country is now totally run by the army and I think the space for eligible civil servants is shrinking. All major national institutes are headed by ex-army officers and this is by deisgn to to further stronghold army power within this country. A really sad day to see this happening.
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Jan 20, 2021 12:21pm
Good news for opposition to add to their rhetoric who is running Imran.
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Jan 20, 2021 12:22pm
Military should appoint a PM as well from army. Civilian appointee is not fit for the job.
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Jan 20, 2021 12:23pm
@Imran , Wishful thinking of corrupt opposition parties supporters.
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Jan 20, 2021 12:24pm
Jack of all trades but master of none.
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Jan 20, 2021 12:26pm
@Fastrack, slight correction. Throwing back the money on old iron brother by begging money from new iron brother on unspecified intrest rate. Repaying loan after taking loan. Very good
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Jan 20, 2021 12:26pm
As an observer of current international naivity of Pakistan diplomacy by Mr.Qureshi despite his all sincerity for country-it is felt that this decision is in favour of my country. With a scratch in our diplomatic relations with SA,we needed a seasoned diplomat. Good for the country.
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Jan 20, 2021 12:27pm
Replace all ambassadors with generals. One more proof that Imran is selected by army as he has to follow it's orders. No other country have ambassadors from military back ground, alas.
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Jan 20, 2021 12:27pm
Off to oblivion like Raheel Sharif. When it comes to Saudi Pak relations. No news is good news.
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Jan 20, 2021 12:27pm
@F-35, it was needed to be out of a scratchy diplomatic relationship with Saudis. I,as a country lover appreciate this decision.
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Jan 20, 2021 12:28pm
@Dr. AsHamed., we will see what suits us.
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Jan 20, 2021 12:28pm
@Imran , in your dream.
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Jan 20, 2021 12:29pm
And army claims , not interfering in politics.
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Jan 20, 2021 12:30pm
@Fastrack, no. International diplomatic posts are discretion of the political leadership of country as per impirtance of diplomacy with respective country. In each country.
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Jan 20, 2021 12:33pm
@Fastrack, Throwing billions after borrowing from someone is not a great thing. At least you should be thankful to them for giving money when you drastically suffered financially . Thankless guys again proved they are not trustworthy hence don't deserve any help.
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Jan 20, 2021 12:35pm
Right! Now I get it. This is the actual idea of creating 10m Jobs promised by our PM.
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Jan 20, 2021 12:41pm
They are the Elite class of poor Pakistan, they are our rulers and they are establishment.
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Jan 20, 2021 12:46pm
@K, "Pakistan administrative services could not produce any good talent?" What kind of 'talent' is required for a person to be a diplomat? Do you know what they are required to do while dealing with other countries?
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Jan 20, 2021 12:55pm
All states with no respect and value for its citizens never succeeded and Pakistan in one of them
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Jan 20, 2021 12:55pm
He is retired general who has no skills, education and training in foreign affairs. But in Pakistan everything is possible in the name of NATIONAL INTERESTS regardless any merit.
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Jan 20, 2021 12:57pm
What a joke. Now retired army generals become civilian servants. Soon PM position can also be occupied.
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Jan 20, 2021 12:59pm
Smart move. People with millitary background are disciplined and good at implementing orders. That quality helps a lot.
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Jan 20, 2021 01:00pm
Welcome to the unique club and the distinguished clubhouse. As always, keep it up and hang on tough.
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Jan 20, 2021 01:00pm
PTI and Imran khan you are disgrace. How low will you fall? The space which civilian Govts before you gained from Military you have not just lost all but further surrender more. Shame on you
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Jan 20, 2021 01:31pm
A retired General will also make a good PM.
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Jan 20, 2021 01:37pm
So far establishment were involved in internal politics now they have decided to go international. Not good for the country.
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Jan 20, 2021 01:40pm
Imran promised so much, now it seems the establishment is looking to run the entire country by stealth. At the same time ISPR keeps pretending that the army is not involved in politics! Frankly, I expected better from Imran, what is a general used to running an ordinance manufacturing facility going to understand about global diplomacy? It's like putting a mechanic in charge of a heart operation, pathetic.
With each step the establishment turns more of the awaam against it.
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Jan 20, 2021 01:55pm
@K, no.we have parasites.
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Jan 20, 2021 02:01pm
Only in Pakistan. The army is slowly increasing its grip behind the scene.
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Jan 20, 2021 02:14pm
The growing anti army sentiment is due to the games being played by PMLN and PTI.
This is what they both want.
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Jan 20, 2021 02:45pm
He is not a skilled diplomat. Another dent to Pakistan's civil services..
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Jan 20, 2021 02:50pm
Nice and some people still believe, it is democracy. Politics, executives and media are completely overshadowed by establishments. Waiting for time when Judiciary will also have retired general.
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Jan 20, 2021 02:54pm
This is a very tight slap on the face of democracy. Don't cry!!! there are many more tight slaps to come. And still, the people of Pakistan will vote after 3 years.
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Jan 20, 2021 02:57pm
This is wrong. A Professional civil service officer is needed. Not new for Pakistan but it should not be the case. Remember, PPP appointed Sherry Rehman as USA ambassador and PK appointed Khawaja Asif as foreign minister.
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Jan 20, 2021 03:02pm
This posting is the real answer of ISPR statement " dont drag army in politics"
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Jan 20, 2021 03:13pm
Forecasting the democratic bureaucrats of our country ..
The one who owns the BAT whill be the umpire himself .
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Jan 20, 2021 03:14pm
So civilians are not good enough?
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Jan 20, 2021 03:15pm
Forecasting the DEMOCRATIC bureaucrats of nation.
We set a rule ! The one who own the BAT will be the umpire himself.
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Jan 20, 2021 03:17pm
@Zak, height of your stupidity. Saudis are not going to take your ambassador's advice on Yemen matters. If you don't understand these issues then better to shut up.
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Jan 20, 2021 03:20pm
Now military will solve our diplomatic problems also.
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Jan 20, 2021 03:23pm
It shows clearly that the opposition are at its weakest now. Not good news for Nawaz, Zardari and Fazlu baby.
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Jan 20, 2021 03:44pm
@M. Emad, How many times are you going to make the same point, Emad?
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Jan 20, 2021 03:48pm
So basically the civilians are no good in Pakistan? Soo funny...
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Jan 20, 2021 03:48pm
I think he will make a excellent Ambassador..
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Jan 20, 2021 03:48pm
Establishment foot print every where
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Jan 20, 2021 04:11pm
@Rahim , I thought at his home
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Jan 20, 2021 04:29pm
Where are we heading to?
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Jan 20, 2021 04:30pm
Woah!
Some democracy!!
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Jan 20, 2021 04:34pm
Reward for being 'selected'....You scratch my back and I.......
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Jan 20, 2021 04:43pm
Is there a shortage of career diplomats?
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Jan 20, 2021 05:10pm
Is there still any doubt who really is running the country?
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Jan 20, 2021 05:20pm
Good that Army manages international relations of the country.
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Jan 20, 2021 05:29pm
What would a person who has given and/or obeyed orders all his life know about diplomacy?
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Jan 20, 2021 06:19pm
@F-35, It is not something new. Has been going on for years. Read.. "Retired generals are appointed against the 20 percent quota for political appointees". PTI is better than previous governments in that they are at least not doing political appointments against ambassadorial positions.
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Jan 20, 2021 07:05pm
General B Akbar the one who saved Karachi from MQM and PPP criminals.
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Jan 20, 2021 11:27pm
@Sam, yes they all make a ton of money then retire in some foreign country in keeping with tradition!
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