Significant appointments are on the horizon at Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with major changes expected in key positions, sources revealed to Geo News on Thursday.
According to insiders, Amna Baloch, a senior officer from the Foreign Service of Pakistan, is slated to become the next Foreign Secretary. Baloch, who is currently a Grade 22 officer, will take over from Dr. Syrus Sajjad Qazi following his retirement. She is scheduled to assume her new role on September 11.
This appointment is notable as Baloch will be the second woman to hold a federal secretary position within a month, following Ambreen Jan’s appointment as the Information and Broadcasting Secretary earlier in August.
Meanwhile, Dr. Qazi, the outgoing Foreign Secretary, is expected to continue serving Pakistan in a new capacity, with sources suggesting he may be appointed as an ambassador to a key country.
In another significant move, the current spokesperson for the Foreign Office, Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, is poised to become Pakistan’s Ambassador to France, succeeding Asim Iftikhar Ahmad. Ahmad has been reassigned as Pakistan’s permanent representative to the United Nations, replacing the veteran diplomat Munir Akram.
Mumtaz Zahra Baloch has a rich diplomatic background, having previously served as Pakistan’s ambassador to South Korea and as Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy in China. She is currently serving in a dual role as both the spokesperson and Additional Foreign Secretary for Strategic Communications and Public Diplomacy.
In related developments, Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif has reportedly approved a series of new diplomatic appointments, based on recommendations from Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar. These appointments will see changes in Pakistan’s diplomatic missions in several key locations, including Paris, Ottawa, Pretoria, Brunei, and Kuwait.
Among the new appointees, Ambassador Muhammad Saleem, currently Additional Secretary at the Foreign Office, has been named as the new High Commissioner to Canada. Janbaz Khan is set to become the new Ambassador to Brunei, replacing retired Major General Farhat Abbas Sani. Meanwhile, Syed Faisal Niaz Tirmizi, currently serving in the UAE, will be appointed as the Ambassador to Belgium and will also serve as the envoy to the European Union.
Malik Muhammad Farooq, who is presently the Ambassador to Kuwait, will take on a new role as High Commissioner to South Africa, replacing Aftab Hasan Khan.
Who is Amna Baloch?
Amna Baloch, the incoming Foreign Secretary, is currently serving as Pakistan’s Ambassador to the European Union, Belgium, and Luxembourg. Before this, she was the High Commissioner of Pakistan in Malaysia.
Baloch has a distinguished career in the Foreign Service, which she joined in 1991 after earning a master’s degree in history. Over the years, she has held various significant positions, including Consul General in Chengdu, China, and Minister Counsellor in Colombo, Sri Lanka. She has also served in senior roles within the Prime Minister’s Office and the Foreign Ministry.
As Pakistan prepares for these important changes in its diplomatic leadership, all eyes will be on the new appointees as they take on their roles in representing the country on the global stage.
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