ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has appointed Ambassador Amna Baloch as its 33rd foreign secretary, the foreign office said on Wednesday, making her only the second woman in the country’s history to hold the top slot in the Foreign Service.
Baloch takes over from Ambassador Syrus Sajjad Qazi who has concluded a 34-year career with the foreign service and is retiring. The last and only woman to serve as foreign secretary was Tehmina Janjua from 2017 to 2019.
“A veteran diplomat, Ambassador Baloch has held several important assignments both in Islamabad and in Pakistan’s Missions abroad,” the foreign office said as it announced the new foreign secretary’s appointment.
“She served as Pakistan’s Consul General to Chengdu, China (2014-2017); High Commissioner to Malaysia (2019-2023); Ambassador to the European Union, Belgium and Luxembourg (2023-2024).”
Baloch has a master’s degree in history and joined the Pakistan Foreign Service in 1991. She has served on various important assignments at the headquarters and missions abroad during her career including Minister Counsellor at Colombo, Sri Lanka, Joint Secretary at the Prime Minister’s Office and Additional Secretary at the Foreign Minister’s office.
Baloch is married and has two daughters.
