Ishaq Dar tells Senate 17 non-career envoys serve abroad, including nine retired military officers

Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar has disclosed to the Senate that 17 non-career ambassadors and high commissioners are serving in Pakistani missions abroad, including nine retired military officers, according to a CNN-News18 exclusive published on Wednesday.

The disclosure came in a written reply to a question by Senator Muhammad Talha Mahmood, who had sought the names, experience and places of domicile of non-career diplomats posted abroad, along with the procedure followed for their appointments, News18 reported.

According to official documents accessed by CNN-News18, the retired officers include retired army generals, an air marshal and a vice admiral, assigned to diplomatic missions across the Middle East, Africa, Europe and Asia.

News18 reported that the disclosure raises questions about merit, professional diplomatic experience and the influence of Pakistan’s military establishment in appointments traditionally held by career diplomats.

The report is a News18 exclusive. At the time of publication, no Pakistani outlet — including Dawn, Geo or The Express Tribune — had independently corroborated the disclosure.