Masood Khan

Masood Khan is a retired Pakistani-Kashmiri diplomat who served as Pakistan's Ambassador to the United States. Khan also served as the 27th President of Azad Kashmir. Khan joined the Foreign Service of Pakistan in 1980. 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 11 October 2012 and 7 February 2015.

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

Early life and diplomatic career Khan was born in Rawalakot, Poonch District of Azad Kashmir. When he was in his twenties, he worked as a TV newscaster in English.

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.

In 2022, Khan started serving as Pakistan's Ambassador to the United States.

Political views

Support for Kashmiri separatism Masood Khan has shown support for Kashmiri separatism, including calling Burhan Wani, an influential slain Islamist militant, a "hero."

Writings Masood Khan's publications include the article "Balancing Geo-economics with Geo-politics" as part of Pakistan's first National Security Policy release, where he calls for regional economic integration as well potential peace with India.