Ishtiaq Hussain Andrabi, who currently works as an additional foreign secretary in Islamabad, will replace Umar Khan Alisherzai.

“A section of the Pakistani media has already announced the name of Andrabi as the new ambassador to Saudi Arabia, but I can't confirm it,” Alisherzai said on Saturday.

According to a report published in the Pakistan Daily Mail, Alisherzai would be relinquishing the assignment as his replacement reaches the Saudi capital early next month.

Speaking via phone from Dammam, Alisherzai said he is aware of the reports, adding that he has been “asked by Islamabad to continue until further notice.” The ambassador completed his contractual period in October last year.

Andrabi has earlier served in various capacities in Egypt, Manchester, Beirut, New York, Brazil, Sri Lanka and Argentina.

According to a diplomat who asked for his name not to be published, the appointment of a new envoy in Saudi Arabia will add significance in view of reports of corruption in last year's Haj operations.

Islamabad has also named new ambassadors to six other countries — Italy, Spain, France, Switzerland, Morocco and Germany.