Pakistan’s Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is likely to appoint Tehmina Janjua for the post of foreign secretary. Aizaz Chaudhry, who is current foreign minister, will move to the US to take over as the ambassador from February. Though, on the seniority basis, Masroor A Junejo should be appointed as a new foreign secretary.

 PM’s spokesperson Masadiq Malik has not commented yet. But, according to experts permanent representative to the UN Tehmina Janjua is considered as most favorite for this available slot.

Janjua is serving in Geneva office since October 2015. Janjua, who had studied French literature, has joined Foreign Service of Pakistan in 1984. This Pakistani diplomat has also received Masters in International Affairs from Columbia University in 1989.

After serving in different offices, she became the spokesperson of the ministry of foreign affairs of Pakistan in 2011. She was also the Ambassador of Pakistan to Italy between December 2011 and December 2015.

Tehmina is also the first woman and the first developing country representative to preside over the convention on certain conventional weapons.

The government is facing criticism from the opposition and retired diplomats for not appointing a full-time foreign minister. Currently, the Foreign Office is being run by Adviser to PM on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz and Special Assistant to PM Tariq Fatemi.