Mahmud Ali Durrani
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Mahmud Ali Durrani (Urdu: محمود علی درانی) (b. 1941), a career Pakistani army officer, is the current National Security Adviser to the PM Yousaf Raza Gillani administration, who has previously served as Pakistan Ambassador to the United States.[1] He was replaced as ambassador by Husain Haqqani in April 2008.
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[edit] Early years and military career
Durrani was born in 1941 in Abbottabad, which is in the North-West Frontier Province (N.W.F.P) of Pakistan. He is an ethnic Pashtun from the Durrani tribe. After graduating from Pakistan Military Academy in 1961, he served in command and instructional posts for about 16 years. From 1977 to 1982 he was Pakistan’s defense and military attaché in Washington, D.C. He then served as military secretary to the president of Pakistan until 1986. From 1992 to 1998 Durrani was the chairman of the Pakistan Ordnance Factories Board.[2] Mahmud Ali Durrani retired as Major General of Pakistan Army.
[edit] Academic and diplomatic career
Durrani was also an advisor in the International Institute for Strategic Studies in London, which he served from 2001 to 2004. After retiring from the Pakistani Army, he was actively involved in the peace efforts between Pakistan and India. As part of a process sponsored by the United Nations, he also worked with former senior officials from the United States, Russia and Iran to find a peaceful resolution to the Afghan crisis.[2]
Durrani was appointed as Pakistan Ambassador to the United States by President Pervez Musharraf in June 2006, replacing another General Jehangir Karamat. They both belong to the Armoured corps of Pakistan Army, with Durrani being the third Armoured Corps officer to take the helms of ambassadorship at Washington, D.C.; the first one was Lt Gen Ejaz Azim, who was ambassador during General Zia-ul-Haq and Reagan era.[3]
[edit] Books
Durrani is the author of several books and studies, including India and Pakistan: The Cost of Conflict and the Benefits of Peace and Pakistan’s Security Imperatives: Year 2000 and Beyond. He is the father of three children.[2]
[edit] References
- ^ Qudssia Akhlaque , "Ambassador Durrani likely to be made security adviser" The News, March 29, 2008
- ^ a b c New Pakistani Envoy Staunchly Denies Country Is Terrorist Breeding Ground The Washington Diplomat, September 2006.
- ^ Khalid Hasan. 'Durrani in, Karamat out' Daily Times, March 23, 2006
[edit] External links
| Diplomatic posts | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Jehangir Karamat |
Pakistan Ambassador to the United States June 2006 – April 2008 |
Succeeded by Husain Haqqani |
