Tough-talking journalist-turned diplomat Maleeha Lodhi and former minister of state for foreign affairs Inamul Haq are among those who have been shortlisted by Pakistan government to be appointed as its new high commissioner to India.

Pakistan has already accepted the nomination of career diplomat Shiv Shankar Menon as India's new high commissioner to Islamabad.

Lodhi had been the Pakistan ambassador to US twice and there were reports that she was being considered to be its high commissioner to the United Kingdom. Haq, a career diplomat, has made name for himself for his efficiency and gentle behaviour. He acted as chief foreign policy adviser to Musharraf during the three-year military rule, and later after his retirement was appointed as state minister for foreign affairs till the elections last year.

In a related development Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf shifted his high profile press secretary Major General Rashid Qureshi as director general of National Guards.