{
  "id": 6448878,
  "title": "Pakistan’s UN envoy Asim Iftikhar named new foreign secretary",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/09/pakistans-un-envoy-asim-iftikhar-named-new-foreign-secretary-6448878",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-09T17:29:29.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Dawn",
    "slug": "dawn",
    "url": "https://www.dawn.com/news/2028658/pakistans-un-envoy-asim-iftikhar-named-new-foreign-secretary"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar announced the appointment of Asim Iftikhar Ahmad as the country's new foreign secretary on Wednesday. Ahmad, who currently serves as Pakistan's permanent representative to the United Nations, will lead the Foreign Office with clarity, professionalism, and purpose, building on the work of Ambassador Amna Baloch and her predecessors.\n\nDar praised Baloch for her dedicated service and leadership during a crucial period in Pakistan's diplomatic history, stating that she will transition to the role of Pakistan's ambassador to Türkiye upon her retirement. Baloch has been serving as Pakistan's 33rd foreign secretary since September 11, 2024, and will step down from her position on September 17.\n\nIn response to his appointment, Ambassador Ahmad expressed gratitude and humility, stating that he is deeply honored by the confidence placed in him and looks forward to advancing Pakistan's supreme national interest. He thanked Allah, his parents, family, friends, and colleagues for their support.",
  "summary": "Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Wednesday announced the appointment of Pakistan’s permanent representative to the United Nations, Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, as the country’s new foreign secretary. “I am delighted to also announce that Ambassador Ahmad, who is currently Pakistan’s permanent representative to the UN, will be the next Foreign Secretary of Pakistan,” FM Dar said in…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 6,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Saudi Gazette",
        "title": "Saudi Arabia approves marine war-risk insurance pool to support trade",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/09/saudi-arabia-approves-marine-war-risk-insurance-pool-to-support-trade",
        "published": "2026-09-09T14:04:32.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Dawn - Pakistan",
        "title": "Pakistan’s UN envoy Asim Iftikhar named new foreign secretary",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/09/pakistans-un-envoy-asim-iftikhar-named-new-foreign-secretary",
        "published": "2026-09-09T17:29:29.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Gulf News",
        "title": "Joint Statement by Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the UAE, Egypt, Qatar, Jordan, Indonesia, Pakistan, Türkiye and Saudi Arabia",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/09/joint-statement-by-ministers-of-foreign-affairs-of-the-uae-egypt",
        "published": "2026-09-09T17:37:03.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Daily Times",
        "title": "Asim Iftikhar named Pakistan’s new foreign secretary",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/09/asim-iftikhar-named-pakistans-new-foreign-secretary",
        "published": "2026-09-09T18:48:05.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Citizen",
        "title": "South Africa, Saudi Arabia boost tourism ties to ease pilgrim journeys [VIDEO]",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/09/south-africa-saudi-arabia-boost-tourism-ties-to-ease-pilgrim-journeys",
        "published": "2026-09-09T20:00:11.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}