The Association of Former Ambassadors has expressed regret over unfortunate episode relating to a letter attributed to Pakistan's former High Commissioner to India Abdul Basit, in which he has criticized Pakistan's current Ambassador to the United States Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry. "The members of Association of Former Ambassadors have noted with regret the unfortunate episode relating to a letter attributed to our former high commissioner in New Delhi," the association stated in a message addressed to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which was released to media by office of the spokesperson.
"The contents of the letter appear to have been prompted by personal differences between two officers of the Foreign Services. The language and tone of the letter was upsetting and the members were of the view that it should not have been written or made public," they noted.
"Such episodes clearly add to the difficulties of the Foreign Office, which is faced with so many challenges in the region and globally. We wish to express our solidarity with you and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which has performed admirably in dealing with challenges confronting Pakistan in an extremely difficult global environment," the former envoys further noted.
They also expressed solidarity with their colleagues, saying: "We greatly appreciate and stand in solidarity with the members of the Foreign Office at the Headquarters and in Pakistan's missions abroad in carrying out their onerous responsibilities."
"We are confident that this episode will not detract you and the Foreign Office from your primary responsibility. We must all work together to enhance the capacity and protect the integrity of our institution, which we have served with great pride in our lifelong commitment to our beloved country," the association further stated.
On Tuesday, a letter attributed Pakistan's former High Commissioner to New Delhi, Abdul Basit, went viral on the social media, in which he has criticized Pakistan's Ambassador to the US Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry as the 'worst foreign secretary ever' during his tenure and also sought his immediate removal from his current ambassadorial slot in Washington DC in Pakistan's 'interest.'
Chaudhry, however, described the letter as too rude and uncalled for, saying "he wrongly thinks that he could not reach to the post of foreign secretary because of me." "He [Basit] has since retired. Jealousy has no remedy. I just offered four Qul Surahs esp [especially] Surah Al-Falaq and ignored the letter," Chaudhry stated in a reported response to the letter.