Masood Khan

Masood Khan (Urdu: مسعود خان‎) is a Pakistani diplomat who serves as the 27th President of Azad Kashmir. Masood Khan joined the Foreign Service of Pakistan in 1980 and went on to serve in various diplomatic positions. 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 October 11, 2012 and February 7, 2015.

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

Khan was born in Rawalakot, Poonch District of Azad Kashmir to an elite Sudhan family, from one of the Sadozai Pashtun tribe. When he was in his twenties, he worked as a TV newscaster in English.

Khan holds a master's degree in English and joined the Foreign Service of Pakistan in 1980. His foreign assignments include: Third Secretary in Beijing (1984–1986), Second Secretary and First Secretary at The Hague (1986–1989) and Counselor at United Nations New York (1993–1997) and Political Counselor in Washington, D.C. (1997–2002).

His assignments at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs include: section officer for Europe, Iran and South Asian countries (1980–1982), director for Economic Cooperation Organization, Overseas Pakistanis and International Conferences (1990–1991), director for Secretary General's office (1991–1992), director-general for East Asia and Pacific (2002–2003), director-general for United Nations and Organisation of the Islamic Conference (2003–2004) and spokesman for Pakistan Foreign Office (2003–2005). Masood Khan had retired as a career diplomat in 2005.

Masood Khan was appointed as Pakistan's permanent representative to United Nations Office at Geneva in March 2005. During this time, he stayed as chairman for many forumsincluding International Organization for Migration Council, Group of 77 at Geneva, Government Group of International Labour Organization (ILO), Conference on Disarmament and Organisation of the Islamic Conference at Geneva.

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.