Islamabad: Pakistan has dropped plans to send Syed Ibne Abbas as the new High Commissioner to India and replaced him with career diplomat Abdul Basit, a top Pakistani official said today.
The 55-year-old Basit was earlier tipped to take over as Foreign Secretary but the government changed its mind last week.
“Yes, Ibne Abbas is not being (sent) to India. Basit will be the new High Commissioner to India,” an official told PTI.
The official made it clear that a formal notification about Basit's appointment is yet to be issued. Asked why Abbas was changed, the official said, “Basit is quite senior and Abbas was quite junior for India.”
Basit will take over at a time when Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is pushing for better ties with India.
Pakistan has sought the resumption of dialogue to resolve all issues.
He earlier served as Director General and Foreign Office spokesman during 2008-09 and as Additional Secretary and spokesman during 2009-12.
