ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday approved the appointment of Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad as the country’s new Foreign Secretary, entrusting the country’s top diplomatic position to the serving Permanent Representative to the United Nations at a consequential juncture for Pakistan’s foreign policy.
Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad will succeed Ambassador Amna Baloch, Pakistan’s 33rd Foreign Secretary, who will retire from government service on September 17, 2026, after a distinguished diplomatic career spanning more than three decades.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said Ambassador Amna Baloch has served as Foreign Secretary since September 11, 2024, and led the Ministry of Foreign Affairs during a period marked by significant regional and international diplomatic challenges.
Amna Baloch will assume charge as Pakistan’s Ambassador to Türkiye after her retirement from government service, Deputy PM Dar said in a post on X.
The 33rd Foreign Secretary of Pakistan, Ambassador Amna Baloch, after a distinguished career spanning over three decades and her tenure as Foreign Secretary since 11 September 2024, will retire from government service on 17 September 2026. I commend her dedicated service and…
— Ishaq Dar (@MIshaqDar50) September 9, 2026
Deputy PM Dar commended Ambassador Amna Baloch for her dedicated public service and leadership, expressing confidence that she would continue to serve Pakistan with distinction in her new diplomatic assignment.
Announcing the appointment, the Foreign Office said it was confident that under Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad’s leadership, the Foreign Office would continue to advance Pakistan’s national interests with “clarity, professionalism and purpose.”
Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad is currently serving as Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations and brings extensive diplomatic experience to the Foreign Secretary’s office.
The appointment has been approved by Prime Minister Sharif on a summary sent by the Foreign Office.
