Pakistan appoints Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad as new foreign secretary
By The South Asia Times
ISLAMABAD - Pakistan has appointed Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad as the country's next foreign secretary, replacing Ambassador Amna Baloch, who will retire from government service later this month after a career spanning more than three decades.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar announced the appointment on Thursday, saying Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had approved the new diplomatic assignments.
Baloch, who became Pakistan's 33rd foreign secretary on Sept. 11, 2024, will retire on Sept. 17, Dar said. She will subsequently take up a new diplomatic role as Pakistan's ambassador to Türkiye.
Dar praised Baloch for her service and leadership of the Foreign Ministry during what he described as a consequential period in Pakistan's diplomatic history.
Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, currently Pakistan's permanent representative to the United Nations in New York, will take charge as foreign secretary following Baloch's retirement.
A career diplomat, Ahmad has held several senior diplomatic assignments and has represented Pakistan at the United Nations, giving him extensive experience in multilateral diplomacy and international affairs.
Dar said he was confident that Ahmad would lead the Foreign Office with "clarity, professionalism and purpose" and continue advancing Pakistan's national interests.
The appointment comes as Pakistan faces a complex regional diplomatic environment, including tense relations with neighboring Afghanistan and India, evolving ties with the United States, China and Gulf countries, and growing engagement with multilateral organizations.
Ahmad will also oversee Pakistan's diplomatic response to developments in South Asia and the wider Middle East at a time when regional security and geopolitical competition are rapidly evolving.
Dar thanked Baloch for her contribution and expressed confidence that she would continue representing Pakistan with distinction in her next diplomatic assignment in Türkiye.
