Pak foreign office replaces spokesman Abdul Basit

Islamabad, Feb 17 (PTI) In a sudden development,Pakistan''s Foreign Office has replaced its spokesman AbdulBasit, who was today appointed to the post of AdditionalSecretary (Europe).

Tehmina Janjua, a senior diplomat, was named as theForeign Office''s new spokesperson.

She was serving as Director General in the ForeignSecretary''s Office.

Basit will also look after the affairs of the Friendsof Democratic Pakistan Forum, officials said.

Basit was in line for an ambassadorial posting forsome time.

His appointment as an Additional Secretary days aftersenior Pakistan People''s Party leader Shah Mahmood Qureshi wasremoved from the foreign affairs portfolio triggeredspeculation in diplomatic circles about the reasons for themove.

Sources said the move was part of efforts to placeofficials who were more in line with PPP-led government''spolicies in key positions in the Foreign Ministry.