Pakistan diplomat's sudden exit: Islamabad recalls Dhaka envoy; Imran Haidar named successor
Pakistan has withdrawn its high commissioner in Dhaka, Syed Ahmed Maroof , and appointed a new envoy to succeed him, weeks after his abrupt leave triggered widespread speculation, reported news agency PTI on Tuesday, citing Bangladesh’s Prothom Alo newspaper.
Citing several senior officials, the report said, "Pakistan’s high commissioner in Dhaka Syed Ahmed Maroof is not returning to Bangladesh." Islamabad has now selected Imran Haidar , currently serving as Pakistan’s ambassador to Myanmar, to take over Maroof’s position, the paper added.
Maroof had come under the spotlight shortly after Muhammad Yunus assumed charge of Bangladesh’s interim government. His rise came just three days after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina ’s Awami League was ousted on August 5, 2024, following a wave of student-led violent protests.
During his tenure, Maroof actively worked to strengthen diplomatic ties between Dhaka and Islamabad, including facilitating a visit by Pakistan’s foreign secretary to Bangladesh.
However, his sudden departure from Dhaka last month ignited social media chatter, with rumours swirling about his alleged involvement with two Bangladeshi women. Maroof left the country on May 11, approximately 18 months after his appointment.
Pakistan’s high commission officially notified Bangladesh’s Foreign Ministry of his exit, stating that the deputy high commissioner would temporarily assume the role of acting high commissioner.
In the past nine months, Maroof travelled extensively throughout Bangladesh, with his latest known visit to the coastal town of Cox’s Bazar . Social media buzzed over the timing of this trip, which reportedly overlapped with the visit of the two Bangladeshi women to the same destination.
Citing several senior officials, the report said, "Pakistan’s high commissioner in Dhaka Syed Ahmed Maroof is not returning to Bangladesh." Islamabad has now selected Imran Haidar , currently serving as Pakistan’s ambassador to Myanmar, to take over Maroof’s position, the paper added.
Maroof had come under the spotlight shortly after Muhammad Yunus assumed charge of Bangladesh’s interim government. His rise came just three days after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina ’s Awami League was ousted on August 5, 2024, following a wave of student-led violent protests.
During his tenure, Maroof actively worked to strengthen diplomatic ties between Dhaka and Islamabad, including facilitating a visit by Pakistan’s foreign secretary to Bangladesh.
However, his sudden departure from Dhaka last month ignited social media chatter, with rumours swirling about his alleged involvement with two Bangladeshi women. Maroof left the country on May 11, approximately 18 months after his appointment.
Pakistan’s high commission officially notified Bangladesh’s Foreign Ministry of his exit, stating that the deputy high commissioner would temporarily assume the role of acting high commissioner.
In the past nine months, Maroof travelled extensively throughout Bangladesh, with his latest known visit to the coastal town of Cox’s Bazar . Social media buzzed over the timing of this trip, which reportedly overlapped with the visit of the two Bangladeshi women to the same destination.
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