Asim Iftikhar has been appointed Pakistan’s new Foreign Secretary, replacing Amina Baloch, whose tenure is due to end later this month.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has approved Iftikhar’s appointment, according to official sources. He is currently serving as Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York.
Iftikhar is expected to return to Islamabad and take charge as Foreign Secretary after completing his current diplomatic assignment.
A senior career diplomat, Iftikhar has held several key positions during his diplomatic career. His appointment comes as the Foreign Office prepares for a leadership transition following the completion of Baloch’s tenure in the third week of September.
Baloch has been serving as Pakistan’s Foreign Secretary and is scheduled to complete her tenure this month. The government has therefore approved Iftikhar’s appointment to take over the position.
As Foreign Secretary, Iftikhar will be responsible for overseeing Pakistan’s diplomatic affairs and coordinating the country’s foreign policy engagement with other states and international organisations.
His appointment comes at a time when Pakistan continues to navigate a range of regional and international diplomatic priorities, including relations with neighbouring countries and engagement at multilateral forums.
Iftikhar’s current posting at the United Nations has also given him extensive experience in multilateral diplomacy. He will formally take charge of the Foreign Secretary’s office following the completion of the necessary transition process.
Source: Dunya News
