United States Ambassador to Pakistan Cameron Munter has decided to step down this summer after serving less than two years and is likely to be replaced by a diplomat serving in Afghanistan, a move that comes at a time when the bilateral ties are at a critical juncture.
Australia opener Marcus Harris was dropped from the Test squad and replaced by Queensland batsman Joe Burns for the upcoming two-match series against Pakistan.
The United States has said Pakistan's civil and military leadership should have "its writ on its soil", making it clear that Islamabad needs to take more steps to tackle terrorism.
The United States government did not announce any bounty for Jamaat-ud Dawa Chief Hafiz Saeed, suspect in the Mumbai terror attacks, American Ambassador to Pakistan Cameron Munter has said, blaming Pakistani media for "misreporting" the issue.
As Hafiz Saeed openly made fun of Washington over announcing a bounty on a man who moved freely across Pakistan, Munter, who is known for his conciliatory approach, decided to pacify the JuD chief in a one-on-one meeting in Islamabad which was kept secret and which is still not being confirmed officially by either side, reports Amir Mir from Islamabad
"Munter announced to his staff Monday morning that he was stepping down this summer after serving less than two years on the job," the Washington Post reported, saying that the word was that he wasn't a good fit with the Pakistani government.
The United States on Monday said it will vacate the Shamsi airbase in Balochistan, believed to be used by the Central Investigation Agency-operated drones, by December 11 deadline set by Pakistan following the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation strike that killed 24 of its soldiers.
Munter, confirmed by the US Senate last week, would replace Anne Paterson in Islamabad.
Noting that Pakistan's Prime Minister-elect Nawaz Sharif appears to be sincere in his effort to improve relationship with India, a former top American diplomat has said he might not be able to do much unless he brings on board the powerful military.
Council on Foreign Relations Senior Fellow Daniel Markey Tuesday said that the raising of the issue of American intervention in Jammu and Kashmir by visiting Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif at the United States Institute of Peace in Washington was not 'especially constructive' and was motivated by political expediency.
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