Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has announced the appointment of Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, as the country’s next foreign secretary.
In a post on X, Dar said he was confident that Iftikhar would lead the Foreign Office in advancing Pakistan’s national interests with “clarity, professionalism and purpose”, building on the work of outgoing Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch and her predecessors.
The foreign minister also praised Baloch for her dedicated service and leadership of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs during a significant period in Pakistan’s diplomatic history.
Baloch, who has served as Pakistan’s 33rd foreign secretary since September 11, 2024, is scheduled to retire from government service on September 17. Following her retirement, she will take charge as Pakistan’s ambassador to Türkiye.
Dar said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had approved the appointments and expressed confidence that Baloch would continue to serve Pakistan effectively in her new diplomatic assignment.
Meanwhile, Ambassador Iftikhar described his appointment as a great honour and expressed gratitude for the confidence placed in him by the country’s leadership.
He said he looked forward to working collectively to advance Pakistan’s national interests and thanked his family, friends, colleagues and well-wishers for their support and prayers.
