Islamabad: Pakistan’s next foreign secretary will be a diplomat moving from the United Nations (UN) to the Foreign Office at a time of heightened regional and international challenges.

Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) and Foreign Minister (FM) Ishaq Dar announced on Wednesday that Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, currently Pakistan’s permanent representative to the UN, would become the country’s new foreign secretary.

Dar said he was confident Ahmad would lead the Foreign Office with “clarity, professionalism and purpose” and build on the work of outgoing Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch and her predecessors.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has approved the appointments, according to Dar.

Ahmad described the appointment as “a great honour”, saying he was humbled by the confidence placed in him and looked forward to advancing Pakistan’s national interests.

The change comes as Baloch prepares to leave the Foreign Office after serving as Pakistan’s 33rd foreign secretary since September 11, 2024. She is due to retire from government service on September 17.

Dar praised Baloch for her service and leadership during what he described as a consequential period in Pakistan’s diplomatic history. He also announced that she would assume charge as Pakistan’s ambassador to Türkiye after retirement.

The transition places Ahmad at the centre of Pakistan’s diplomatic apparatus as Islamabad continues to navigate relations with major powers, regional partners and neighbouring states.

His current posting at the UN has also given him experience in multilateral diplomacy, where Pakistan has sought to advance its positions on regional security, international conflicts and global governance.

For the Foreign Office, the appointment marks more than a change of personnel. Ahmad will inherit a diplomatic machinery facing an increasingly complex international environment, making the ability to balance national interests with shifting global alignments an immediate test of his tenure.