'Discrediting Aizaz will only complicate Pakistan's situation'

Lahore [Pakistan], Aug.30 (ANI):A senior diplomatic observer said that 'Discrediting Pakistan's Ambassador to the United States Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry' at this juncture has only complicated the situation and will not help Pakistan to project a better image of itself before the Trump administration in the wake of the latter's criticism on terrorists finding refuge on Pakistani soil.

"Discrediting Pakistan's Ambassador to the United States Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry at a time when he is dealing with a very difficult situation is no service to Pakistan," the Dawn quoted a senior diplomatic observer from Washington. "It will definitely not help promote Pakistan's cause."

"The embassy was already finding it difficult to do so in today's hostile environment and the letter (from Abdul Basit) has further complicated the situation," the observer added. In the letter, Basit lambasted Chaudhry's tenure as foreign secretary over a number of policy gaffes made during his time in office.

"The more I think the more I am convinced that you have been the worst foreign secretary ever," Basit wrote in the letter, a copy of which has been circulating on social media.

Pakistan foreign ministry was rocked by a controversy after a letter written by Abdul Basit,ex- high commissioner to India, has been leaked on social media in which he undermines former foreign secretary and current ambassador in Washington Aizaz Ahmed Chaudhry's diplomatic credentials.

The letter has emerged at a time when Pakistan is confronted with critical foreign policy challenges of reviewing its relations with United States.In the letter dated July 5, 2017, Basit launched a scathing and unprecedented criticism against Chaudhry for his performance as foreign secretary.

Showing his bitter differences with Aizaz Ahmed Chaudhry, Basit accused Chaudhry for failing to project a better image of Pakistan before the Trump administration and the American public.

Basit has substantiated his claims by citing the setbacks Pakistan had suffered on the diplomatic front in Ufa Joint Statement and Pakistan's 'humiliating defeat' at the UN Human Rights Council when Chaudhry was serving as foreign secretary.

Basit,who was once considered for the post of foreign secretary,declared that Aizaz was unfit for the delicate job of diplomacy.

In Aug 21 speech, President Trump also outlined a new South Asia strategy, which seeks to coerce Pakistan into supporting US goals in Afghanistan. It also envisages greater Indian role in Afghanistan, stoking Pakistan's worst fears of being sandwiched between two hostile borders.

The speech led to dozens of articles and statements in the US media, criticising Pakistan and blaming it for fanning violence in Afghanistan. The developments pushed the Pakistani embassy in Washington to the front row of Islamabad's efforts to present a better image of the country before the American public.

Basit, in the letter, further suggested that he "strongly feel that it is in Pakistan's interest that you should immediately be removed from Washington D.C."

"If not so, you should not be given extension beyond your superannuation on February 27, 2018. May Allah help Pakistan when people like you with weak and dubious credentials are at such important positions," Basit concluded.

Basit also sent a copy of the letter to the Director of the Foreign Secretary's Office (FSO), Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

For the uninitiated, Abdul Basit had requested, in July, for a premature retirement from the service, as he was set to retire in April 2018. (ANI)

This story has not been edited. It has been published as provided by ANI