US President Donald Trump has nominated career diplomat Natalie A. Baker as the next United States ambassador to Pakistan, paving the way for the appointment of a permanent American envoy to Islamabad after nearly two years.
According to the White House announcement issued on November 9, 2026, Baker’s nomination has been formally sent to the US Senate for consideration. She will officially become ambassador if the Senate approves her appointment.
Baker is currently serving as the Chargé d’Affaires at the US Embassy in Islamabad. She has been leading the American diplomatic mission since January 2025, following the departure of former US Ambassador Donald Blome.
She joined the US Embassy in Islamabad as Deputy Chief of Mission in August 2024. Before arriving in Pakistan, she served at the US Embassy in Doha, Qatar, from August 2021 to July 2024.
Throughout her diplomatic career, Baker has held several important positions, including Deputy Chief of Mission in Libya, Deputy Director of the Iran Regional Presence Office in Dubai and Economic Counsellor at the US Embassy in Kuwait. She also served as Director of the Office of North African Affairs at the US State Department.
Her nomination comes at a time when Pakistan and the United States are seeking to strengthen bilateral relations through trade, investment, security cooperation and regional diplomacy.
