ISLAMABAD
Former ambassador Asif Ali Durrani on Tuesday was appointed as special representative of Pakistan on Afghanistan two-and-a-half months after his predecessor stepped down.
According to the notification, “The Prime Minister of Pakistan has pleased the approved appointed of Ambassador (retd) Asif Ali Durrani as special representative on Afghanistan with immediate effect.” Durrani separately confirmed about his appointment.
Durrani served as deputy chief of Pakistan’s mission in Kabul from 2005 to 2009. He also served as Pakistan’s ambassador to Iran.
His appointment comes at a time when Pakistan is facing a complex challenge in Afghanistan. The most immediate one is to sort out the lingering sanctuaries of banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). The new envoy will have his work cut out as he has to deal with multiple challenges.
