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Pakistani-Kashmiri diplomat
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Sardar Masood Khan
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: مسعود خان;) 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].
Early Life and Education
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].
Academic and Media Career
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].
Career in the Foreign Service
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].
Diplomatic Career
Early Foreign Postings
- Third Secretary, Embassy of Pakistan in Beijing, China.
- First Secretary, Embassy of Pakistan in The Hague[5] , Netherlands.
- Counsellor, Permanent Mission of Pakistan to the United Nations in New York.
- Minister/Political Counsellor, Embassy of Pakistan in Washington D.C. [7][8].
Roles at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
- Director General (United Nations and OIC).
- Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (2003–2005).
- Director General Disarmament.
- Director General (East Asia & Pacific).
- Director, Secretary General's office
- Director, International Conferences
Multilateral and Ambassadorial Roles
Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Geneva (2005–2008)
While serving in Geneva, Khan held several multilateral roles, including:
- President Conference on Disarmament,
- Chairman Group of 77 and China (2006),
- Presided over meetings of the International Labour Organization (ILO) reform (2005 – 07),
- Chair, Committee on Internet Governance (WSIS 2005). [9]
- Chair, IOM Council (2005–06).
- Chair, Red Cross and Red Crescent Drafting Committee (2007)
- Chair, Human Rights Group of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC)
- President, Sixth Review Conference of the Biological Weapons Convention (2006). [8][4][6][10].
- President, Executive Board UNICEF
- Vice President UN General Assembly
- Vice President Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)
Ambassador to China (2008–2012)
As Ambassador to China, he deepened Pakistan-China economic and defense ties. Key achievements included:
- Helping lay foundations of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) framework.
- Enhancing cultural and academic exchanges between the two countries.
- Managing high-level bilateral visits and strategic (military and political) dialogues.
Permanent Representative to the United Nations, New York (2012–2015)
During this period:
- He served as President of the UN Security Council in January 2013.
- Represented Pakistan on issues including counterterrorism, peacekeeping, and nuclear non-proliferation.
- Raised Pakistan’s position regarding UN resolutions on Kashmir’s right to self-determination.
President of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (2016–2021)
Masood Khan was elected as the 27th President of AJK by the region’s Legislative Assembly on 16 August 2016. During his term:
- He internationalized the Kashmir issue, especially after India revoked Article 370 in 2019.
- Delivered extensive speeches at universities, think tanks, and civil society forums in Europe, North America, and the Middle East.
- Promoted AJK’s internal governance reforms, education, and diaspora engagement [10].
Ambassador to the United States (2022–2024)
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:
- Rebuilding trust and strategic dialogue between Islamabad and Washington.
- Strengthening cooperation in energy, climate change, and education through USAID and other U.S. institutions.
- Facilitating investment forums and diaspora outreach across American cities.
His farewell ceremony was held in July 2024, where senior U.S. officials acknowledged his diplomatic outreach and legacy of "bridge-building." [10][11]
Public Engagements
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.
Personal Life
Khan is married and has three children. He is multilingual, fluent in English, Urdu, and has a diploma in interpretation in Chinese.
Writings
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:
- Human rights
- Nuclear stability and arms control
- The role of the United Nations and multilateral forums
- Challenges of global migration and labor mobility
- South Asia’s place in a changing global order
References
- Naqash, Tariq (16 August 2016). "PML-N's Masood Khan elected AJK president". Dawn (newspaper). Retrieved 13 November 2018.
- "Masood Khan to be appointed as Pakistan's ambassador to US". Daily Times. 4 November 2021. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
- Masood Khan elected as President of AJK The Nation (newspaper), Published 16 August 2016, Retrieved 13 November 2018
- World Intellectual Property Organization https://www.wipo.int/edocs/mdocs/govbody/en/wo_cc_58/wo_cc_58_2874_pk.pdf
- Masood Khan Pakistan envoy to China The Nation (newspaper), Published 13 September 2008, Retrieved 13 November 2018
- United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. “H.E. Mr. Masood Khan.” https://sdgs.un.org/panelists/he-mr-masood-khan-29154
- Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI). “Former Director General’s Profile.” http://issi.org
- "Meet the man who will save the internet". Archived from the original on 12 June 2025. Retrieved 8 July 2025.
- "Masood Khan – a trailblazer diplomat of int'l standing". The Nation. 26 July 2023. Retrieved 8 July 2025.
- "Ambassador Masood Khan's Legacy lauded at farewell ceremony". www.radio.gov.pk. Archived from the original on 8 May 2025. Retrieved 8 July 2025.