Munir Akram

Munir Akram (; born 2 December 1945) is a former Pakistani diplomat who served twice as Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the United Nations. First, he held the post from 2002 to 2008, during which time he also served two terms as President of the United Nations Security Council. The he served on this post from 2019 to 2025. On 23 July 2020 Akram was elected President of the United Nations Economic and Social Council, serving from July 2020 to July 2021.

Early life and education Akram received a Bachelor's degree in law from the University of Karachi, before studying for a Master's degree in political science at the same institution. He cleared the elite Central Superior Services examinations in 1968 to enter public service.

Akram served as Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the United Nations Office at Geneva from 1995 to 2002, before holding the same post in New York, where he served until 2008. He had reached superannuation in 2005, but was hired again on an extension contract. He was dismissed by the newly elected President, Asif Ali Zardari, in 2008 because of his disagreement over presenting the case of the assassination of Benazir Bhutto to the United Nations. He also served as President of the Security Council for two separate terms, in 2002 and 2004.

On 30 September 2019 Akram was reappointed as Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York. He held the post till March 2025.

Board memberships and advisory roles Akram is an advisory board member of the Counter Extremism Project. He is also a former board member of Allis-Chalmers Energy, serving at the company between September 2008 and June 2009.

Controversies

Legal issues In 2003 Akram's then live-in girlfriend, Marijana Mihic, called the police to report him for alleged violent assault against her. Her report included charges of previous incidents of violence. While the New York Police Department did not arrest Akram owing to his diplomatic immunity, the case was pursued by the New York County District Attorney, Robert Morgenthau, with the backing of Majorie Tiven, sister of the then Mayor, Michael Bloomberg.

In February 2003, the District Attorney's office dropped the investigation after the Marijana Mihic retracted her allegations.

Writings Akram is a regular columnist for Pakistan's leading English daily newspaper Dawn. He has also authored the chapter "Reversing Strategic 'Shrinkage'" in the book Pakistan: Beyond the 'Crisis State' edited by Maleeha Lodhi and published by Oxford University Press in 2011.