Sherry Rehman, liberal lawmaker, is Pakistan’s new U.S. envoy

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Source: Wash. Post

Pakistan named a liberal lawmaker as its new ambassador to the United States on Wednesday, swiftly filling a crucial diplomatic vacancy created amid a scandal that highlighted civil-military tensions.

The appointment of Sherry Rehman, a prominent former journalist known for her human rights work, surprised observers who had expected a choice with a more obvious stamp of approval from the country’s powerful military.

Rehman is a member of the ruling Pakistan People’s Party and was close to Benazir Bhutto, the late prime minister. She is also one of Pakistan’s few vocal proponents of tolerance.

Rehman will replace Husain Haqqani, who resigned Tuesday night after allegations that he devised a confidential memo that asked for Washington’s help to rein in Pakistan’s military and promised reforms that would please the United States.

Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/pakistan-appoints-liberal-lawmaker-as-new-us-envoy/2011/11/23/gIQAv8PsnN_story.html