Paris (TDI): Pakistan’s newly appointed Ambassador to France, Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, presented her credentials to French President Emmanuel Macron at a ceremony at the Elysee Palace on Friday.
Conveying the greetings of President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, she reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening relations with France across political, economic, scientific, educational, and cultural spheres.
Highlighting the strong foundation of Pakistan-France ties, Mumtaz Zahra Baloch expressed the desire of Pakistan to further expand and strengthen bilateral cooperation with France.
Mumtaz Zahra Baloch assumed charge as Pakistan’s Ambassador to France in Januar.
With her extensive diplomatic experience, Ambassador Baloch brings a wealth of expertise to her new role.
Prior to this appointment, she served as spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Moreover, she represented Pakistan in various capacities, working on international relations and development issues.
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Baloch previously served as Pakistan’s Ambassador to the Republic of Korea from 2020 to 2021 and as as Minister/Deputy Head of Mission at Pakistan’s Embassy in China from 2015 to 2020.
She also held the position of Counselor for Political Affairs at the Embassy of Pakistan in Washington DC (2006-2011) and worked as Second Secretary at Pakistan’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations, Geneva (1999-2002).
At the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Islamabad she served as Additional Foreign Secretary, Asia & Pacific (2022-2023), Director, Americas (2013-2014), Director, Security Council and Human Rights (2012-2013) and Director, Strategic Planning (2011-2012).
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During 2014-2015, Baloch served as Director (Academic Programme) and later as Acting Director General of the Foreign Service Academy Islamabad.
Mumtaz Zahra Baloch holds Masters degree in Physics from the Punjab University, Lahore; a Masters in International Relations from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, USA; and a degree in Public Administration from the Ecole Nationale d’Administration, France.
