Pakistan’s UN envoy wants to resign

ISLAMABAD - Pakistan’s ambassador to the UN Husain Abdullah Haroon has informed Islamabad that he has no intention of continuing as the country’s permanent representative to the world body any more, it was reported here.

Haroon’s contract as Pakistan’s envoy to the UN was extended in October and he was supposed to work till September next year, Geo News reported Monday. He was appointed to the post in September 2008.

Speaking at the annual meeting of American Pakistani Physicians of North America (APPNA) in New York Saturday night, Haroon said: “I am 60 years old and want to do something else for my nation while staying in Pakistan. That is why I have informed the authorities that I am coming back.”

Haroon, who plans to fly back to Pakistan in a few days, was asked about chances of his return to New York, and he replied, “I don’t think I will be coming back”.

A close aide of Haroon said the Pakistani government was still trying to persuade him to change his mind.

“He will perhaps leave for Pakistan on November 4 to meet the president and the prime minister and would be back to finish the remaining work even if he does not change his mind,” the aide said on condition of anonymity.