Pakistan's US ambassador steps down early Mr Munter, a career diplomat whose previous postings included Prague, Warsaw and Baghdad, told embassy staff on Monday that he would be leaving in the summer, less than two years after taking up the job. "I couldn't do that job for two years," said a Western diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity. The year ahead will to be crucial, as American troops leave Afghanistan ahead of a 2014 deadline. Pakistan retains links to militant groups involved in peace talks and will be expected to step up border security if Afghanistan is not to sink further into insecurity. An American official told The Daily Telegraph said Mr Munter was leaving for "personal reasons," but insisted he was not forced out after a string of rows. "Pakistan does not get to choose our ambassador," he said. Mr Munter has also reportedly been at odds with Washington. Media reports suggest he has pushed for a softer line on drone strikes and has sought to put the relationship with Pakistan on a less hysterical, more pragmatic footing. Richard Olson, who has orchestrated American development and economic activities in Afghanistan since June 2011, has been linked to the job.