Amna Baloch set to be Pakistan’s new Foreign Secretary: Report

Islamabad: Amna Baloch, a seasoned diplomat, is set to become Pakistan’s new Foreign Secretary, according to a media report on Thursday.

Baloch, who is currently posted as Pakistan’s Ambassador to the European Union, Belgium and Luxembourg, will assume her office on September 11 to replace Dr Syrus Sajjad Qazi upon his retirement, The News International reported.

Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif approved the recommendations of Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar in his capacity as the Foreign Minister for the appointment of a new foreign secretary, highly placed sources in the Prime Minister’s Office were quoted as saying by the report.

Baloch, a 1991 batch Foreign Service of Pakistan officer, is set to become the second woman federal secretary appointed by the Shahbaz government in a month after Ambreen Jan, who was appointed information and broadcasting secretary this month.

A master’s degree holder in history, Baloch served as high commissioner of Pakistan in Malaysia before joining the current post and has earlier served on various assignments at the headquarters and missions abroad during her career, including as the Consul General of Pakistan at Chengdu in China.