ISLAMABAD: Foreign Secretary Ambassador Syrus Sajjad Qazi bid farewell to the foreign service on Tuesday, marking the end of an uneventful one-year tenure.

The Foreign Office issued a statement, saying, “Today, we bid farewell to Ambassador Syrus Sajjad Qazi, the 32nd Foreign Secretary of Pakistan, who retires upon attaining superannuation.”

Ambassador Amna Baloch, designated as his successor last month, will replace Qazi.

Despite high expectations at the time of his assumption of office, Qazi’s tenure concluded on a somewhat underwhelming note, with few significant accomplishments or lasting impact.

Ambassador Amna Baloch, the first woman from Sindh in a long time, to take charge

The biggest challenge facing FO is the administrative paralysis, that has also led to discontentment among officers. In this context, the success of a foreign secretary should be measured by his efforts to revamp FO into a streamlined and cohesive unit. However, recent foreign secretaries have largely sidestepped these critical issues instead of tackling them head-on and Qazi was no exception.

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Furthermore, the FO has gradually ceded its turf to other institutions in the formulation and implementation of foreign policy, compromising its efficacy and influence. There is little space for our diplomats now, one officer commented ruing external influences.

In his farewell address, Qazi expressed heartfelt gratitude to those who contributed to his career, including mentors, colleagues, and teams. He thanked ambassadors, staff, and the Foreign Secretary’s Office team for their support and acknowledged the guidance of Foreign Ministers, under whom he worked, highlighting the collaborative spirit of his tenure.

According to an officer who attended the farewell ceremony, Qazi’s parting advice for his colleagues was: “Be honest in your work and always remember that you are the first line of defence for this country.”

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, on this occasion, praised the outgoing foreign secretary for navigating complex global diplomacy with strategic acumen and clarity.

Ambassador Baloch assumes the role in challenging times. Previously serving as ambassador to the European Union, Belgium, and Luxembourg, she brings a wealth of experience from her diplomatic career, including positions in Malaysia, China, and Sri Lanka.

Unlike her immediate predecessors, who had shorter tenures, she will have a two-year tenure until September 2026, potentially bringing stability to the office. Notably, she is the second woman to hold the position and the first from Sindh in a long time.

Published in Dawn, September 11th, 2024