Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has approved appointment of Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry as Pakistan's new ambassador to United States, sources said here on Thursday.

Foreign Office Spokesperson Nafees Zakaria, however, declined to comment on the development, saying he would not comment on the administrative decisions taken by the government.

"It is an administrative matter and I only comment on policy related matters," Zakaria said when his comments were sought on the new appointment during his weekly media briefing on Thursday.

Chaudhry, who is currently serving as Pakistan's Foreign Secretary will replace Jalil Abbas Jilani, the current Pakistan's ambassador in Washington whose two-year term of extension is going to expire at the end of next month.

A career diplomat with vast experience of diplomatic assignments in various world capitals, Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry also served as political counsellor in Pakistan Embassy in Washington, US from 1999-2000.

Previously, Chaudhry served as ambassador of Pakistan to the Netherlands from 2009-2012 and also represented Pakistan in The Hague based international organisations, including OPCW.

He also served as additional foreign secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Islamabad and also as Director General for South Asia (2007-2009).

Represented Pakistan in the United Nations for over six years and as Pakistan's Deputy Permanent Representative and earlier as Counsellor, he participated in inter-governmental negotiations in the UN, NAM, G-77, and other forums on several issues of interest to Pakistan.

He also chaired UN parleys on a host of important issues, in particular HRM Reform, and UN Budget (2000-2006).

-Business Recorder