Iqbal Akhund

Iqbal Ahmad Akhund (; ; born 21 August 1924, died 3 June 2020) was a Pakistani diplomat and writer who served as the 7th permanent representative of Pakistan to the United Nations from 1972 to 1978 and the 5th national security advisor to the 11th prime minister of Pakistan, Benazir Bhutto for foreign affairs and national security. He also served as chairperson of the Group of 77 (G77) from 1976 to 1977.

Early life Akhund was born in Hyderabad, Sindh Province. His father was a sessions judge in British Indian government and retired in the mid-1950s as a chief justice of Khairpur. In 1945, Akhund obtained his master's degree in economics and political science at Karachi.

Career Akhund joined the foreign services after completing his civil services in 1948. He was appointed at various posts during his career such as permanent representative to the United Nations, assistant secretary-general at the United Nations, the president of the Security Council, and president of the United Nations Economic and Social Council. After retiring from foreign services, he was appointed as the national security advisor in the government of Benazir Bhutto from 1988 to 1990.

Before serving at the UN, he served as ambassador of Pakistan to Egypt, Yugoslavia and France. Prior to his retirement from foreign services on security, he was appointed as United Nations Resident Coordinator in Lebanon, and chairperson of the Security Council Committee on Sanctions against Rhodesia, a part of the United Nations Security Council.

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