Amna Baloch on Wednesday assume 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.
Ambassador Syrus was honored with a formal farewell dinner at the Foreign Ministry on Tuesday night.
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A Grade-22 officer of the Foreign Service of Pakistan, Amna 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 tasks 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.
Amna 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, expressed deep gratitude to those who supported his career, including mentors, colleagues, and dedicated teams.
He specifically acknowledged the unwavering support of ambassadors, staff, and members of the Foreign Secretary’s Office, as well as the valuable guidance provided by the Foreign Ministers he served under.
