Former diplomat Sadiq Khan reappointed special representative for Afghanistan

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday reappointed former ambassador Muhammad Sadiq Khan as Special Representative for Afghanistan.

A notification in this regard has been issued by the Foreign Ministry. 

Sadiq Khan had previously served in this role for three years and retired from his position in May 2023. He also served as Pakistan's ambassador to Afghanistan from 2008 to 2014. 

On September 10, 2023, former diplomat Asif Durrani was removed from the position of Special Representative for Afghanistan. A new special envoy had not been appointed since then.

Meanwhile, relations between Afghanistan’s Taliban government and Pakistan have been strained, and during Asif Durrani’s tenure, ties between the two countries deteriorated. He appeared to have failed in playing a significant role in improving the bilateral relations.

According to a report by media, officials at the Foreign Office believed that Afghan matters could be managed without appointing any former officer to the position of Special Representative.

Other countries with interests in Afghanistan, as well as regional powers, have also appointed their own special envoys to Afghanistan.