Masood Khan

Masood Khan (Urdu: مسعود خان‎) is a Pakistani diplomat who serves as the 27th President of Azad Kashmir.[1] Masood Khan joined the Foreign Service of Pakistan in 1980 and went on to serve in various diplomatic positions. From August 2003 to March 2005, he served as the Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Pakistan’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations and International Organisations in Geneva, Switzerland, from 2005 to 2008, Pakistan's Ambassador to China between September 2008 and September 2012 and as Pakistan's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, New York, between October 11, 2012 and February 7, 2015.[2][3]

Masood Khan مسعود خان
Khan at UN in New York on Jan 30, 2015.
President of Azad Jammu and Kashmir
Incumbent
Assumed office 25 August 2016
Prime Minister	Raja Farooq Haider
Preceded by	Sardar Muhammad Yaqoob Khan
Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the United Nations
In office 11 October 2012 – 7 February 2015
President	Asif Ali Zardari, Mamnoon Hussain
Prime Minister	Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, Nawaz Sharif
Preceded by	Hussain Haroon
Succeeded by	Maleeha Lodhi
Pakistan Ambassador to the People's Republic of China
In office September 2008 – September 2012
Appointed by	Yousaf Raza Gillani

He served as the Director General of Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad between February 2015 and August 4, 2016.[4]

Early life and diplomatic career

Khan was born in Rawalakot, Poonch District of Azad Kashmir to an elite Sudhan family, from one of the Sadozai Pashtun tribe. When he was in his twenties, he worked as a TV newscaster in English.[5]

Khan holds a master's degree in English and joined the Foreign Service of Pakistan in 1980.[2] His foreign assignments include: Third Secretary in Beijing (1984–1986),[2] Second Secretary and First Secretary at The Hague (1986–1989)[2] and Counselor at United Nations New York (1993–1997) and Political Counselor in Washington, D.C. (1997–2002).[2][4]

His assignments at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs include: section officer for Europe, Iran and South Asian countries (1980–1982), director for Economic Cooperation Organization, Overseas Pakistanis and International Conferences (1990–1991), director for Secretary General's office (1991–1992), director-general for East Asia and Pacific (2002–2003), director-general for United Nations and Organisation of the Islamic Conference (2003–2004) and spokesman for Pakistan Foreign Office (2003–2005). Masood Khan had retired as a career diplomat in 2005.[4]

Ambassadorial career

Masood Khan was appointed as Pakistan's permanent representative to United Nations Office at Geneva in March 2005.[2] During this time, he stayed as chairman for many forums including International Organization for Migration Council, Group of 77 at Geneva, Government Group of International Labour Organization (ILO), Conference on Disarmament and Organisation of the Islamic Conference at Geneva.

In September 2008, Masood Khan was appointed as Pakistan's Ambassador to People's Republic of China replacing Salman Bashir who proceeded as Foreign Secretary at Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In October 2012, he was appointed as Pakistan's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, New York.[5]

References

1. Naqash, Tariq (16 August 2016). "PML-N's Masood Khan elected AJK president". Dawn (newspaper). Retrieved 13 November 2018.
2. Masood Khan Pakistan envoy to China The Nation (newspaper), Published 13 September 2008, Retrieved 13 November 2018
3. He had also served as the President of the UN General Assembly during his tenure as Pakistan's Permanent Representative to the UN."Meet the man who will save the internet" The Register, 14 November 2005, Retrieved 13 November 2018
4. "PM picks ex-diplomat for AJK president slot". The Express Tribune (newspaper). 4 August 2016. Retrieved 13 November 2018.
5. Masood Khan elected as President of AJK The Nation (newspaper), Published 16 August 2016, Retrieved 13 November 2018