ISLAMABAD: Afzaal Mahmood, a career diplomat, has taken charge today, Wednesday, as Pakistan’s new ambassador to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the embassy of Pakistan in Abu Dhabi said in a statement.
Mahmood was the ambassador for Pakistan in Bahrain before taking up his new role in Abu Dhabi.
“Afzal Mahmood carries diverse experience of representing Pakistan at many international forums and in different parts of the world,” the embassy statement said.
His notable postings in the past include as Consul General in Houston, United States, from 2013-2016, and as Pakistan’s Deputy and Acting High Commissioner in Bangladesh from 2009-2013.
“Afzaal Mahmood also represented Pakistan at the United Nations Environment Programme and United Nations Human Settlements Programme in Nairobi as Deputy Permanent Representative during 2004-2007,” the statement said.
The UAE is Pakistan’s largest trading partner in the Middle East and has supported Pakistan in the areas of education, health, energy and infrastructure development over several decades. It is home to more than 1.6 million Pakistanis — the second largest Pakistani expatriate community abroad.