ISLAMABAD - Prime Minister Office on Friday with held the appointment of Dr Asad Majeed Khan, a key figure in the cable gate controversy, as the new foreign secretary and gave Special Secretary (Europe) Jauhar Saleem the additional charge of the office till the position is formally filled. Jauhar Saleem has assumed his new responsibilities after Cabinet Division notified him here yesterday. Jauhar Saleem, a BPS-22 officer of the foreign service of Pakistan, recently returned to Islamabad after serving as Pakistan’s Ambassador to Italy for three years. Dr Asad Majeed Khan, whose appointment as the new foreign secretary was held, currently serves as Ambassador to Belgium and EU. His elevation to FS was widely expected but hit a bump at the last moment due to the lingering ‘Cipher controversy.’ Jauhar Saleem would be retiring from the service early next year. Therefore, the government before his retirement would appoint a regular foreign service officer as foreign secretary.