Basit, who was twice overlooked for the post of foreign secretary, made the harsh remarks in a letter - widely circulated on social media - dated July 5, 2017 and printed on his official letterhead while he still served as Pakistan's high commissioner in New Delhi.
The Foreign Office has not confirmed the authenticity of the letter. However, the Dawn news, which published the letter on its website, quoted its sources in the Foreign Office as saying that the letter is authentic.
Instead of wishing him good luck on his new assignment, Basit had an ominous warning in the letter: "My concern is that you would also end up being the worst Pakistan Ambassador in Washington D.C."
He asserted that Chaudhry was not made for the "delicate profession of diplomacy" and cited the Ufa joint statement with India and Pakistan's failure to get re-elected to the UN Human Rights Council as leading examples of his failures.
Leaders and media in Pakistan had criticised the Sharif government over the absence of any mention of the vexed Kashmir issue in the joint statement.
Basit said Chaudhry's "heart was not in the right place" and argued that it was in Pakistan's interests that he should be immediately removed from his post as ambassador to the US.
"May Allah help Pakistan when people like you with weak and dubious credentials are at such important positions," Basit ended the letter with these grim words.
Basit opted for an early retirement earlier this month and was replaced by Sohail Mahmood as the high commissioner.
It is pertinent to mention that Chaudhry was appointed as the foreign secretary by ignoring Basit.
Basit was again ignored this year when his junior Tehmina Janjua was appointed foreign secretary, replacing Chaudhry who was sent to the US as Pakistan's ambassador.
Disclaimer: No Business Standard Journalist was involved in creation of this content
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