MULTAN , MAR 31 (DNA)  – Pakistan’s High Commissioner to India Sohail Mahmood has been appointed as the new foreign secretary of the country, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi announced in Multan on Sunday.

Qureshi said that the decision was taken following discussions with Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan.

While expressing his gratitude to incumbent foreign secretary Tehmina Janjua, who is retiring on April 16, Qureshi said he had received a lot of help from her.

“She handled challenges excellently in foreign affairs,” he said while praising her for bravery, courage and clarity.

Janjua is the first woman to become Pakistan’s foreign secretary.

Qureshi also praised Mahmood, who had previously served as Pakistan’s ambassador to Turkey and Thailand. Before that, he was the permanent representative to the UNESCP Bangkok for four years till 2013.

“Even now, after the Pulwama incident took place, he came to the headquarters for consultations and I benefited from his experience,” the foreign minister said.

Qureshi expressed confidence that Mahmood would fulfill his responsibilities as foreign secretary.=DNA

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