The Association of Former Ambassadors of Pakistan has expressed concern over Prime Minister Imran Khan’s criticism of the country’s serving ambassadors, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Wednesday.
In a letter written to Prime Minister Imran Khan, Inamul Haq, Association president, has conveyed to him that he and other members of the Association have been saddened by what he called ‘undue’ criticism of serving Pakistani diplomats.
He has said it was beyond comprehension as to why PM Imran had chosen to censure Pakistani envoys without ascertaining first whether they deserved such criticism or not.
The Association of Former Ambassadors of Pakistan president further writes that Pakistani embassies are doing a great job despite several issues. “It is better that their shortcomings are pointed out in secret rather than publicly admonishing them,” he said, and added even if there were complaints against any envoy or any member of the embassy staff, a proper inquiry should be held first before holding him or her accountable.
Government stands by Pak immigrants
In another tweet, Federal Minister for Information Fawad Chaudhry, while referring to the letter written by some retired Pakistani envoys to Prime Minister Imran Khan over his admonishing of serving diplomats for failing to look after the rights of Pakistanis living abroad, said he was surprised at their move, and made it clear to them that Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) government stood by overseas Pakistanis, particularly the working class.
Urging bureaucrats to change their behaviour, Fawad said their treatment of ordinary people was by no means worth appreciating. “This is a common complaint against bureaucrats, and of course Pakistani ambassadors are no exception.
Acknowledging that there were many staffers in Pakistan embassies who were doing a great job, the minister, however, made it clear that books could be written on the kind of treatment meted out to Pakistani expatriates in the past. “The credit goes to Prime Minister Imran Khan for feeling the pain of workers and labourers working abroad, and now Pakistani envoys are responsible for their behavior towards them and other segments of overseas Pakistanis,” he added.