ISLAMABAD: Amna Baloch is set to be appointed as Pakistan’s new Foreign Secretary, replacing Dr. Syrus Sajjad Qazi, who is retiring soon. Baloch will begin her new role on September 11.
Baloch, a Grade 22 officer in the Foreign Service of Pakistan, will be the second woman to hold a federal secretary position this month, following Ambreen Jan’s appointment as Information and Broadcasting Secretary.
Dr. Qazi is expected to take up an ambassadorial role in an important country after his retirement.
Additionally, Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, the current spokesperson for the Foreign Office, will be appointed as Pakistan’s Ambassador to France, replacing Asim Iftikhar Ahmad. Ahmad will become Pakistan’s permanent representative to the United Nations, replacing Munir Akram.
Other notable appointments include:
- Muhammad Saleem as High Commissioner to Canada.
- Janbaz Khan as Ambassador to Brunei.
- Syed Faisal Niaz Tirmizi as Ambassador to Belgium and the EU.
- Malik Muhammad Farooq as High Commissioner to South Africa.
Amna Baloch, currently serving as Pakistan’s Ambassador to the EU, Belgium, and Luxembourg, has had a distinguished career, including roles as High Commissioner to Malaysia and Consul General in Chengdu, China. She holds a master’s degree in history and joined the Pakistan Foreign Service in 1991.