Pakistan appoints new ambassador to United States

May 13, 2006, 15:57 GMT

Islamabad - Pakistan's government has appointed retired major-general Mahmud Ali Durrani as the country's new ambassador to the United States.

'Durrani is to replace retired general Jehangir Karamat, who is currently serving as the country's ambassador in the US,' said a foreign ministry statement, issued in Islamabad late on Friday.

Karamat, a former Pakistani army chief, had been appointed ambassador to the US over two years ago.

Pakistan's former prime minister Nawaz Sharif sent Karamat on 'forced retirement' months before completion of his three-year tenure as the army chief in 1998 when he suggested formation of the National Security Council while speaking to a gathering of senior Pakistani military officials.

Durrani is expected to proceed to Washington sometime next month to assume his new assignment.

A graduate from Pakistan Military Academy, Durrani served in various command and staff and instructional appointments during his army career. He also served as the country's defence attaché in Washington from 1977-82.

Since his retirement from the army in 1998, the newly appointed ambassador has been actively involved in the efforts that were aimed at promoting peace between India and Pakistan, which resumed their long stalled peace talks in February 2004.