Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad has formally assumed charge as Pakistan's 34th foreign secretary. The Asim Iftikhar foreign secretary called on Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Islamabad. That meeting opened his tenure at the head of the foreign service, the professional cadre that conducts Pakistan's diplomacy.
After the United Nations posting
Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad formally assumed charge as foreign secretary on Monday, 12 October. He had just finished his term as Pakistan's permanent representative to the United Nations in New York. He called on Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs the same day. Ahmad is a seasoned diplomat with long experience of bilateral relations, multilateral diplomacy and international affairs.
At the United Nations in New York, Ahmad represented Pakistan on regional and global security, counter-terrorism, multilateral cooperation, sustainable development and Pakistan's priorities at the world body. A permanent representative is the ambassador a country posts to the United Nations. Dar acknowledged that service when they met, recognising a key role in advancing Pakistan's engagement on multilateral platforms and in stating its positions on important international issues.
Meeting Ishaq Dar
Dar congratulated Ahmad on the assignment and appreciated his work during the New York tenure. He wished him success and expressed confidence that Ahmad could help conduct Pakistan's foreign policy effectively and further strengthen its diplomatic engagements. The appointment comes as Pakistan keeps up contacts with regional and international partners on political, economic and security issues.
Those contacts cover political, economic and security issues with regional and international partners. His recent assignment at the United Nations in New York is expected to inform how he handles the problems and the openings now in front of Pakistan's diplomats.
Running the Foreign Office
As foreign secretary, Ahmad will oversee the Foreign Office's diplomatic machinery and help see that Pakistan's foreign policy priorities are carried out. In that post, the Asim Iftikhar foreign secretary is the senior career diplomat, a key adviser who works with the foreign minister and other senior officials to line up diplomatic initiatives, strengthen bilateral relations and advance Pakistan's interests in international forums. Taking charge follows his United Nations tenure, a posting built on engagement with member states and international institutions on issues of importance to Pakistan.
Aasan alfaaz mein
Asim Iftikhar Ahmad ne peer 12 October ko foreign secretary ka charge le liya. Woh is se pehle New York mein United Nations par Pakistan ke numainde thay. Unhon ne isi din Ishaq Dar se Foreign Office mein mulaqat ki aur Dar ne unhein mubarakbad di.
