ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has decided to appoint seasoned diplomat Syed Haider Shah as its new permanent representative to the United Nations in New York, replacing Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, who has been appointed the country’s 34th foreign secretary.
According to the government sources, Haider Shah is currently serving as Pakistan’s ambassador to the Netherlands. He is expected to assume the important diplomatic assignment soon. The appointment will bring an experienced foreign service officer back to the centre of Pakistan’s engagement with the United Nations.
Shah has extensive experience in diplomacy, international law and multilateral affairs. Before his current posting, he served as Pakistan’s ambassador to Nepal from November 2020 to October 2022. He also worked as deputy head of mission in New Delhi, including as acting high commissioner from April 2019 to October 2020.
From November 2022 to February 2025, Shah served as additional secretary for United Nations and Organisation of Islamic Cooperation affairs at the Foreign Office in Islamabad.
His previous assignments include serving at Pakistan’s permanent mission to the UN in New York from 2002 to 2006 and working with the UN Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate from 2008 to 2013.
Shah holds a Master of Laws degree from Harvard Law School and a law degree from the University of Peshawar. His experience in international negotiations and legal affairs is expected to support Pakistan’s diplomatic engagement on global and regional issues.
The government’s decision comes as Pakistan continues to emphasise multilateral cooperation and diplomacy in addressing international challenges.
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