World

Trump Nominates Current Charge d’affaires Natalie Baker as U.S. Ambassador to Pakistan

By PTI

U.S. President Donald Trump nominated Natalie Baker to serve as the next U.S. Ambassador to Pakistan, a move that would end a nearly two‑year vacancy for the post. Ms. Baker, who has been the charge d’affaires at the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad since January 2025 after the departure of Ambassador Donald Armin Blome, is currently the acting head of the mission. The White House announced that the nomination has been forwarded to the U.S. Senate, where the Foreign Relations Committee will review it. If the committee approves, the nomination will go to the full Senate for a vote. Upon confirmation, Ms. Baker will assume the ambassadorial role.

Ms. Baker arrived in Islamabad as Deputy Chief of Mission in August 2024, according to the embassy’s website. Prior to that, she served as Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Doha from August 2021 to July 2024. Her earlier career includes roles as Deputy Chief of Mission and charge d’affaires of the U.S. Mission to Libya, deputy director of the Iran Regional Presence Office at the U.S. consulate in Dubai, economic counsellor at the U.S. Embassy in Kuwait, and director of the Office of North African Affairs in the State Department’s Near Eastern Affairs Bureau.

She has been active in Islamabad, frequently engaging with local officials and Pakistan’s political leadership, and has overseen a marked improvement in U.S.–Pakistan relations during President Trump’s tenure. Published – November 10, 2026 06:28 pm IST