ISLAMABAD: The government has appointed Zahid Hafeez Chaudri, Director General South Asia and SAARC as the new spokesperson of the Foreign Office.

"It has been decided that Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri, Director General South Asia and SAARC, in addition to his own duties will also look after the work of spokesperson, vice Ms Aisha Farooqui, with immediate effect and until further orders," said a notification issued here Wednesday.

Chaudhri is replacing Aisha Farooqui who was appointed to the position in December last year.

She is going on the senior management course.

Being a seasoned diplomat and a career Foreign Service officer with over 26 years of varied experience, Chaudhri has served at key Pakistan missions, including the Embassy of Pakistan, Washington DC, and the High Commission for Pakistan, London.

He has also held important assignments at the headquarters in Islamabad, including as Director General (Afghanistan, Iran, and Turkey) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Joint Secretary National Security at the National Security Division, and Director General at the President's Secretariat.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2020