ISLAMABAD — US President Donald Trump nominated charge d’affaires Natalie A Baker as the next US ambassador to Pakistan, paving the way for the appointment of a permanent envoy to Islamabad after a gap of nearly two years, it emerged on Tuesday.
The White House announced the nomination in a list of appointments sent to the US Senate on Monday. Natalie, described as a career member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, was nominated to serve as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. Her nomination is subject to confirmation by the US Senate.
If confirmed, Natalie will become the first US ambassador to Pakistan since Donald Blome left the post in early 2025. Natalie has been leading the US Mission in Pakistan as charge d’affaires since January 2025, following Blome's departure after President Trump returned to office. She joined the US Embassy in Islamabad as Deputy Chief of Mission in August 2024, having previously served in the same capacity at the US Embassy in Doha, Qatar.