From Asghar Ali Mubarak
ISLAMABAD: Veteran diplomat Amna Baloch has taken charge as the country’s 33rd Foreign Secretary replacing Syrus Sajjad Qazi who stepped down after attaining superannuation, the Foreign Office said in a statement on Wednesday.
A Grade-22 officer of the Foreign Service of Pakistan, Baloch was appointed as Foreign Secretary last week — the second woman to be appointed on the said post after Tehmina Janjua.
During her diplomatic career, the new foreign secretary has held several important assignments both in Islamabad and Pakistan’s missions abroad including as the country’s Consul General to Chengdu, China from 2014 to 2017.
She has also served as High Commissioner to Malaysia from 2019 to 2023 and Ambassador to the European Union, Belgium and Luxembourg from 2023-2024.
Baloch, a mother of two, has also worked as a Minister Counsellor in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
She holds a master’s degree in history and joined the Pakistan Foreign Service in 1991. She served as a joint secretary at the Prime Minister’s Office and additional secretary in the foreign minister’s office..
A day earlier, speaking at a farewell reception for Syruz Qazi — who stepped down on Tuesday — at the Foreign Office, Baloch expressed gratitude for his leadership and contributions over a 34-year diplomatic career, while praising his professionalism, acumen and warm demeanour, The News reported on Wednesday.
The event was also addressed by Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar who said: “As we worked closely together over the last several months, I found Syrus to be a brilliant individual with sharp intellect and strong commitment to the service of Pakistan. One of his most commendable qualities that stand out is his unshakeable honesty. I found him to be true to the principles of transparency and ethical governance.”
“During high-level meetings, he stood out with his profound insight rooted in deep understanding of the foreign policy priorities and national interest of Pakistan,” Dar added.
