Mumtaz Hussain

UNITED NATIONS: Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad has assumed charge as Pakistan’s permanent representative to the United Nations.

Ambassador Asim Iftikhar presented his credentials as Pakistan’s Permanent to UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres on Wednesday, says a press release.

Ambassador Asim on the occasion reaffirmed Pakistan’s steadfast commitment to multilateralism and principles of the UN Charter. The UN secretary general congratulated Ambassador Asim on his new role and extended his best wishes for a successful tenure.

Ambassador Asim has replaced Ambassador Munir Akram, who left his position after completing his tenure on March 31, 2025.

Ambassador Asim joined Foreign Service of Pakistan in 1993. In a diplomatic career, he has  worked across regions from Europe and Africa to Asia and the United Nations at various positions.

From November 2022 to December 2024, he was Pakistan’s Ambassador to France and Monaco, and Permanent Delegate to UNESCO.

Before assuming post in Paris, Ambassador Asim was Foreign Ministry’s spokesperson from August 2021 to November 2022. During that period, he also headed first the Asia Pacific Division and then the United Nations and Economic Diplomacy Division as the additional foreign secretary.

Previously, he served as Pakistan’s Ambassador to Thailand from 2017 to 2021. His first diplomatic assignment was in Niamey, Niger (1997-2000). At the Foreign Ministry he has also carried out responsibilities in the Personnel, Europe and Africa Divisions.

“The Ambassador has distinguished himself in particular in multilateral diplomacy, from leadership positions at the Ministry, to important roles and assignments at the United Nations in New York and Geneva, besides being the country’s Permanent Representative to UNESCAP (Bangkok) and UNESCO (Paris) where he was also the Vice Chair (Asia Pacific Group) in the Executive Board and Vice Chair of the General Conference.”

Ambassador Asim was a key member of Pakistan Team at the Security Council twice, in 2003-2004, and again in 2012-2013 when he was also Pakistan’s Political Coordinator in the Council.

Heading the UN Division at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, he oversaw a wide range of areas from peace and security to development, climate change and human rights at Pakistan’s Missions in New York, Geneva, Rome, Vienna, Paris and Nairobi, besides the work of the UN system in Pakistan.

His prior experience in New York (2003-9 & 2012-14) included responsibilities for political, peace and security and reform issues, acting as the focal point for the Security Council, reform of the Security Council, political issues in the General Assembly, Special Political and Decolonization (4th) Committee, conflict prevention, peacekeeping and peace-building.

Born on 27 November 1966, Ambassador Asim is a graduate of the University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore (1991, Electrical Engineering, Gold Medal), and the University of the Punjab, Lahore (1988, Bachelor of Arts, Gold Medal).