Trump nominates Natalie Baker as US ambassador to Pakistan

US President Donald Trump has nominated career diplomat Natalie Baker to serve as Washington’s ambassador to Pakistan, sending her name to the Senate for consideration, according to a White House announcement.

“Natalie Baker, of Texas, a career member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan,” the White House said in an announcement dated November 9.

Her nomination now requires Senate consideration and confirmation before she can formally assume the position.

Baker’s nomination comes as Washington and Islamabad continue diplomatic engagement on trade, investment, security and regional issues.

Donald Blome was the last diplomat to serve as the US Ambassador to Pakistan.

She is currently serving as the US Chargé d’Affaires to Pakistan, holding the rank of Minister Counselor. She assumed the role of Deputy Chief of Mission (DCM) at the US Embassy in Islamabad on August 16, 2024.

Aurangzeb, Baker discuss economic cooperation

Before her current assignment in Islamabad, Baker served as Deputy Chief of Mission at the US Embassy in Doha, Qatar.

Her previous roles include Director of the Office of North African Affairs in the US Department of State’s Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs, Deputy Chief and Chargé d’Affaires of the US Mission to Libya, Deputy Director of the Iran Regional Presence Office at the US Consulate in Dubai, and Economic Counselor at the US Embassy in Kuwait.

In Kuwait, she collaborated with the Department of Defense to support the withdrawal of US forces from Iraq.