Pakistan replaces permanent envoy in UN after it fails to sell Kashmir narrative

NEW DELHI: Pakistan has replaced its permanent envoy in UN Dr Maleeha Lodhi in what can be viewed as an outcome of her failure to convince UN member states of Islamabad’s narrative on Kashmir.

Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan has approved the appointment of ambassador Munir Akram as Pakistan's Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York, the Foreign Office announced on Monday.

Akram will replace Lodhi who has held the office of Pakistan's envoy to the UN since February 2015.


Akram has served as Pakistan's permanent representative to the UN previously as well, holding the office for six years between 2002 and 2008.

The sudden announcement comes a day after Prime Minister Imran and Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi returned to Pakistan after wrapping up their visit to the United States to attend the 74th session of the UN General Assembly. Pakistan’s desperate efforts only got support from China, Turkey and Malaysia at the UN General Assembly.