Why only with SAARC countries?

Kuwait has 78 foreign missions and most of them are headed by Ambassadors including my beloved Pakistan but very regretfully I am to pen that 4 of the embassies whose nationals are not less than 6 figures are without any ambassador for quite many months but how and why is not understood by me at least. The very presence of large number of Pakistanis, Bangladeshis, Indians and Sri Lankans itself demands that they must have an ambassador all the time. Let me quip that western ambassadors are never so much absent despite that fact that they are changed after a certain period of time and of course their population is just in four figures and not like SAARC.

I very well know that ambassador is a very important person and needs proper selection to represent the country in a foreign land but it does not mean that there should be inordinate delay in the appointment of new ambassador. It goes without saying that the each and every government very well knows at least months in advance if not years as to which ambassador is completing his / her tenure in which country and when so practically speaking there can not and should not be long gap in between. It is really very much typical of Bangladesh, India and Sri Lanka that for months they too are without an ambassador like us.

Pakistan ambassador flew out almost six months before and there is no news as to who is coming next from where and when. Please correct me if I am mistaken to assume that perhaps we terribly lack in owning properly educated and qualified people to be inducted as ambassador both from within foreign ministry and outside. To the best of my knowledge and belief Pakistan has not flashed an advertisement in leading newspapers both within Pakistan and overseas asking Pakistanis to submit their candidature for appointment as ambassador. Is it a rumour and not a fact that Pakistan Peoples Party which is the ruling political party of the country has counless men and women who could be slotted in to be ambassador not only in Kuwait but any country including five Super Powers? Alternatively may be my government has decided not to post any more ambassador to Kuwait and save million of dollars spent on him during his posting which is not a bad idea in any case. It gives me tip to ask as to how much Pakistan has suffered due to non availability of my ambassador over the last six months since we are without ambassador or for that matter what Pakistan had gained when we had career diplomat flying our national flag at his car and residence.

I wish the new ambassador must be given some task to put in his / her personal efforts to fetch Kuwaiti investment into Pakistan and secure some contracts for our contractors and manufacturers. Any idea which of our ambassador posted to Kuwait during last 25 years could personally be instrumental in boosting our economy?

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With my honest and solemn prayers

Sincere Iqbal Hadi Zaidi / Kuwait / zaidi_x_diplomat@hotmail.com / Tel + Fax (00965) 23715102 / Mobile (00965) 66229897