Days after publicly berating his own foreign service officers, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has now praised them, saying they are doing a great job, reported Dawn. 

Last week on Wednesday, Khan had criticized diplomats and envoys for failing to serve expatriates well and harboring a “colonial mindset” in a program that was being broadcasted live. Soon after the remark, foreign service officials expressed their anger through different channels. 

On Tuesday, Khan, who seemed to be in a damage control mode, adopted a conciliatory tone, and said, “The foreign service has done a wonderful job as far as diplomacy is concerned. They advocated Kashmir cause very well.”

Regretting the live telecast of the program, he said, “Only its excerpts should have been shown.” 

Several former officers of the services hady denounced his criticism and said Khan lacked clarity and understanding regarding the role of diplomats and other officials. However, they acknowledged Khan’s Tuesday statement. 

Officials said most complaints related to the expatriate community don’t under their jurisdiction. The foreign office has little or no control over officials who are responsible for dealing with those. 

Qureshi, speaking to media, acknowledged it and had also tried to pacify the service officials.  (SAM)