The government on Friday formally appointed Jalil Abbas Jilani as new Ambassador to the United States, who will join his new assignment next month, said Foreign Office spokesperson Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry. The appointment of Jilani comes at a time when Pakistan is experiencing tense relations with the US following the drone attack that killed TTP chief Hakimullah Mehsud, giving a severe blow to the prospect of peach talks between the government and Taliban.
Jilani, currently working as Foreign Secretary, has been appointed to this high-profile slot that has remained vacant for several months after the resignation of Sherry Rehman, appointed by the former PPP government. Analysts see a tough assignment ahead for the career diplomat, Jilani, to streamline bilateral relations between the two countries and to remove the irritants, with the CIA's drone operation in the country's tribal belt being on top.
According to informed sources, Jilani will be replaced by Abdul Basit as the Foreign Secretary, who is currently serving as Pakistan Ambassador to Germany. However, the sources said that formal confirmation of Basit's appointment was yet to be made. Jilani joined the Foreign Service of Pakistan in 1979. He was appointed Foreign Secretary in March 2012. He is a career diplomat and prior to his current appointment, he served as Ambassador of Pakistan to Belgium, Luxembourg and the European Union. He also interacted with the Nato Headquarters in Brussels on regular basis.
Born on February 2, 1955, Jilani holds a Bachelor's Degree in Law and MSc in Defence and Strategic Studies. In his professional life, he has specialised in South Asian affairs and remained Director India (1992-1995), Deputy High Commissioner/Acting High Commissioner to New Delhi (1999-2003) and Director General South Asia and SAARC (2003-2007). In 2005, he also served as the government's spokesman on Foreign Affairs. From 1990 to 1992, Jilani served as Deputy Secretary in the Prime Minister's Secretariat. His other overseas assignments included: Jeddah (1983-1985), London (1985-1988), Washington (1995-1999) and High Commissioner to Canberra, Australia (2007-2009).
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