The appointment of press attaches at Pakistan’s embassies abroad is being continuously delayed as the government has failed to finalize these appointments, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Wednesday.
Sources told the 24News TV channel that new press attaches had even been interviewed, and the summary had been sent to the prime minister several months ago.
Still, they added, appointments had not been finalized as yet.
Four press counsellors of grade-19 had completed their term in office in October 2024, while four press attaches of grade-18 in July 2024.
Press Counsellor (Washington) Sarfaraz Hussain had completed his term in office on December 7, 2024, while Press Counsellor (Moscow) Zafaryab’s three-year term was over on October 19, 2024.
Similarly, the term of Press Counsellor (Berlin) Hina Malik was completed on December 7, 2024, while that of Press Counsellor (Dhaka) Fasihullah on October 12, 2024.
Sources informed that the three-year term of Press Attache (Ankara) Mah Rukh Arshad was completed on October 26, 2024, while that of Press Attache (Honk Kong) Asia Lodhi on February 9, 2025; of Press Attache Cairo Faisal Ilyas on August 4, 2024, and of Press Attache New Delhi Jameel Ahmad on July 25, 2024.
Sources told the 24News TV channel that the seat of press counsellor in Moscow had been lying vacant since Zafaryab Khan relinquished his post there.
Similarly, they said, the post of Press Attache Honk Kong was also lying vacant since Asia Lodhi relinquished the post.
Faisal Ilyas, too, has relinquished the post of Press Attache Cairo.
The remaining five press attaches have not relinquished their posts even after the completion of their term in office.
Reporter: Awais Kyani