Syed Jalil Abbas Jilani, a top Pakistani diplomat will take charge as foreign secretary on Monday as his predecessor Salman Bashir retired on Saturday. The Foreign Office sources told Business Recorder that Jilani is the foreign secretary from Saturday but he would formally take the charge on Monday.
Jilani, who is a cousin of Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani, has served as Pakistan's ambassador to the European Union, Belgium and Luxembourg, a slot he took over in December 2009. He will be taking over as Pakistan's 27th foreign secretary. Jilani has remained on key diplomatic assignments in Pakistan missions abroad including Jeddah (1983-1985) London (1985-1988) Washington (1995-1999) New Delhi (1999-2003) Australia (2007-2009) and Belgium (2009-2012).
He served at the Headquarters as Director General (South Asia & Saarc) from 2003-2007. He was the government spokesman on Foreign Affairs (2005). According to sources, Jilani's predecessor Salman Bashir is likely to replace Shahid Malik as Pakistan High Commissioner to New Delhi. Malik has been asked to stay as Pakistan High Commissioner to India till his replacement with Bashir in April.
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