Tayyab Siddiqui Seldom has a government in Pakistan begun with such public support and squandered its goodwill in such a short time as the current dispensation. PM Gilani, a perfect gentleman by any standard has on a number of occasions, either been misled or ill advised by his aides and endorsed or ignored actions by his Cabinet colleagues that have reflected poorly on his judgement. A perception has gained ground that the PM is not a free agent and that real power and authority lies elsewhere. Of late the media has strengthened this impression with their comments and reports of misdemeanours and poor judgement, the latest being the appointment of Grade-20 DMG officer Jahanzeb as Ambassador to Paris. PPP in its previous incarnations also had a record of its disregard of merit. The government earlier decided to re-employ thousands of employees removed 11 years ago with retrospective effect and payment of salary and other benefits imposing huge financial burden on the teetering economy. The appointment and frequent reshuffle of senior bureaucrats have also invited negative public reaction and concern. The Foreign Office (FO) has been a particular victim of such questionable decisions. The summary removal of Munir Akram, our ambassador to the UN - a diplomat of international stature - and his replacement by one with no credentials for such a post was a disturbing development. Removal of the Foreign Secretary Riaz M Khan at a time when a high level Chinese delegation was in Islamabad engaged in serious negotiations and also an Indian delegation for review of the composite dialogue was yet another major faux pas. The unseemly manner in which these actions were initiated further undermined confidence in government. Dealing with foreign affairs whether policy issues or personnel appointments invites attention of foreign countries too and as such, a very cautious and circumspect approach is needed. Premium is put on experience and knowledge and foreign affairs responsibilities are assigned to those with acknowledged stature and experience. India, Egypt, Indonesia and Turkey to name a few, as a policy have foreign ministers who had long experience in diplomacy, to guide and advice diplomats both at FO and missions abroad. In Pakistan, we have failed to develop a culture of merit and all governments have let other consideration prevail in matters of important assignments. The government's spokesmen do not tire of claiming merit as the sole criteria and yet violate it on every turn. The recent appointments of the daughters of party high ups to our missions in Ireland and Dubai, in total violation of existing rules and procedures and now of a DMG officer as ambassador to France are sad reflection on the government. Not only does the nominee have no qualification to merit this post, the country to which he has been assigned is one of the five permanent members of the UNSC. I would not be surprised if the French government, in view of the controversy his nomination has generated, may decline to grant agrment. In diplomacy protocol is as important as substance. The decision has also rightly upset the professionals in the FO and a wave of anger and protest has swept across. The Association of former Ambassador a group of some 75 former ambassadors of Pakistan have joined the protest chorus. Expressing dismay and disappointment in a letter addressed to the PM, AFA has urged him to review the decision and "cancel the appointment." Our missions abroad have a key role in the formulation and implementation of foreign policy. Pakistan, in this dark hour of internal security crisis, needs total commitment to contend with most alarming scenarios painted by the Western media and think tanks. Pakistan is being referred to as a failed state, even one facing an existential threat. Diplomats of the calibre of Jamshed Marker, Yaqub Khan, Dehlavi, Shehryar, Tanveer and Niaz Naik have represented Pakistan in Paris and this tradition must continue. The writer is a former ambassador