US President Donald Trump has nominated career diplomat Natalie A Baker as the next US ambassador to Pakistan, paving the way for the appointment of a permanent envoy to Islamabad after nearly two years.
The White House announced Baker’s nomination in a list of appointments and withdrawals sent to the US Senate on Monday.
According to the announcement, Baker has been nominated to serve as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.
Her appointment is subject to confirmation by the US Senate. If approved, she will become the first permanent US ambassador to Pakistan since Donald Blome left the position in early 2025.
Baker has headed the US Mission in Pakistan as chargé d’affaires since January 2025, following Blome’s departure after Trump returned to the White House.
She joined the US Embassy in Islamabad as Deputy Chief of Mission in August 2024. Before that, she served in the same capacity at the US Embassy in Doha, Qatar.
Baker’s diplomatic career
Baker has held several diplomatic positions during her career in the US Foreign Service.
She previously served as director of the Office of North African Affairs at the State Department’s Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs.
Her other assignments included deputy chief and chargé d’affaires at the US Mission to Libya, deputy director of the Iran Regional Presence Office at the US Consulate in Dubai, and economic counsellor at the US Embassy in Kuwait.
She has also served as a consular officer in Islamabad.
Baker holds a bachelor’s degree from Princeton University and a master’s degree in public policy from Harvard University. She is also a graduate of the National War College at the US National Defence University.
Previous US ambassador to Pakistan
Donald Blome was the last permanent US ambassador to Pakistan. He assumed charge in May 2022 after receiving Senate approval in March of that year.
His appointment ended a gap of nearly four years during which the US did not have a full-time ambassador in Islamabad.
Blome was the first permanent US envoy to Pakistan since David Hale completed his tenure in August 2018. Baker’s nomination now awaits Senate confirmation, which will determine whether she formally takes over the position.
Key points:
- US President Donald Trump has nominated Natalie A Baker as the next US ambassador to Pakistan.
- Baker has been serving as chargé d’affaires at the US Mission in Islamabad since January 2025.
- Her nomination has been sent to the US Senate and requires confirmation.
- If confirmed, she will become the first permanent US ambassador to Pakistan since Donald Blome left in early 2025.
- Baker previously held diplomatic positions in Qatar, Libya, Kuwait and the US Department of State.
