WASHINGTON, Nov 11 (APP):President Donald Trump has nominated Natalie Baker to be the next US ambassador to Pakistan, marking a pivotal moment in Washington-Islamabad relations. The White House announced her nomination in a statement, identifying Baker as a career member of the Senior Foreign Service with the rank of Minister-Counsellor. “Natalie Baker, of Texas, a career member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counsellor, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and …
President Trump taps veteran diplomat Natalie Baker as US ambassador to Pakistan
WASHINGTON, Nov 11 (APP):President Donald Trump has nominated Natalie Baker to be the next US ambassador to Pakistan, marking a pivotal moment in Washington-Islamabad relations.
The White House announced her nomination in a statement, identifying Baker as a career member of the Senior Foreign Service with the rank of Minister-Counsellor.
“Natalie Baker, of Texas, a career member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counsellor, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan,” the White House said.
The nomination paves the way for the appointment of a permanent envoy to Islamabad after a gap of nearly two years.
She arrived in Islamabad in August 2024 as Deputy Chief of Mission at the US embassy and assumed responsibility as Chargé d’Affaires in January 2025 following Donald Blome’s departure. She was subsequently designated permanent Chargé d’Affaires in October 2026.
Her nomination comes at a significant time for US-Pakistan relations, with both countries maintaining diplomatic engagement on economic cooperation, regional security and investment opportunities.
If confirmed, Baker will take charge of the American diplomatic mission at a time when Washington and Islamabad are seeking to expand their bilateral relationship .
Before her assignment in Pakistan, Baker served as Deputy Chief of Mission at the US embassy in Doha, Qatar, from August 2021 to July 2024.
She previously held the position of Director of the Office of North African Affairs in the US State Department’s Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs.
