Masood Khan مسعود خان | |
|---|---|
| Khan at the UN in New York 2015. | |
| President of Azad Kashmir | |
| In office 2016–2021 | |
| Prime Minister | Raja Farooq Haider Abdul Qayyum Khan Niazi |
| Preceded by | Sardar Muhammad Yaqoob Khan |
| Succeeded by | Sultan Mehmood Chaudhry |
| Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the United Nations | |
| In office 2012–2015 | |
| President | Asif Ali Zardari Mamnoon Hussain |
| Prime Minister | Raja Pervaiz Ashraf Nawaz Sharif |
| Preceded by | Hussain Haroon |
| Succeeded by | Maleeha Lodhi |
| Pakistani Ambassador to China | |
| In office 2008–2012 | |
| Appointed by | Yousaf Raza Gillani |
| Personal details | |
| Born | |
Sardar Masood Abdullah Khan,commonly known as Masood Khan.
Masood Khan (Urdu:مسعودخان;) is a Pakistani diplomat and statesman who served as the 27th President of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK). [1] from August 2016 to August 2021. Over a diplomatic career of more than four decades,he held key ambassadorial and multilateral positions,including Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the United Nations in both Geneva and New York,Ambassador to China,and Ambassador to the United States. [2]
Masood Khan was born in Rawalakot,a town in the Poonch District of Azad Jammu and Kashmir. [3] He pursued education in Pakistan,earning a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and Political Science (1970) and a Master’s in English Literature (1976) from the University of the Punjab,Lahore. [4]
He also completed intensive training in Chinese at the Beijing Language Institute (1982–84),earning a diploma in interpretation,and attended high-level administrative training at the National Management Course (2007) and Senior Management Course (2002) in Pakistan. [4]
From 1976 to 1979,Khan taught English Literature at Allama Iqbal Open University. He also worked as a radio newscaster at Radio Pakistan and TV anchor at Pakistan Television (PTV). [4]
Khan joined the Foreign Service of Pakistan [5] in 1980 through the Central Superior Services (CSS) examination. Early in his career,he focused on international law,disarmament,multilateral diplomacy,and political affairs. [6]
Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations,Geneva (2005–2008)
While serving in Geneva,Khan held several multilateral roles,including:
As Ambassador to China,he deepened Pakistan-China economic and defense ties. Key achievements included:
During this period:
Masood Khan was elected as the 27th President of AJK by the region’s Legislative Assembly on 16 August 2016. During his term:
Khan presented his credentials as Ambassador of Pakistan to the United States in early 2022 during a politically sensitive period in Pakistan-U.S. relations. His accomplishments included:
His farewell ceremony was held in July 2024,where senior U.S. officials acknowledged his diplomatic outreach and legacy of "bridge-building." [10] [11]
Khan regularly speaks on international relations,multilateral diplomacy,nuclear non-proliferation,South Asia Afffairs, Paksitan-US relations and changing world order [6] at universities and think tanks.
Khan is married and has three children. He is multilingual,fluent in English,Urdu,and has a diploma in interpretation in Chinese.
Ambassador Masood Khan has authored articles on strategic affairs,diplomacy,and regional issues. He contributed to policy discussions on geo-economics and has written opinion pieces for various institutions and forums.
Beyond these,he delivered speeches at global forums,think tanks,and academic institutions His recurring themes include: