Agha Hilaly

Agha Hilaly
Born 1911
Bangalore, Karnataka
Died February 6, 2001
Karachi, Pakistan
Spouse Malik Taj Mirza
Children Naser Ali Hilaly
Zafar Ali Hilaly
Yawar Ali Hilaly

Agha Hilaly (b. 1911, Bangalore - d. February 6, 2001 Karachi) (Urdu: آ‏غا هلالی) was one of Pakistan's senior most diplomats who held several high offices in the Government of Pakistan, including Pakistan's Ambassador to the United States.

Contents

Career and Family Baxkground

Hilaly joined the Indian Civil Service in 1936[1] at the age of 25, and opted for Pakistan during the Partition of India and settled in Pakistan along with his family in 1947. As the Government of Pakistan was in the process of establishing its foreign service cadre, all officers of the Civil Service of Pakistan that suceeded the Indian Civil Service were encouraged to join the new cadre. Hilaly was one of the first to do so and played an important role in shaping the strategic dimensions of Pakistan's foreign policy, while representing Pakistan at the United Nations and serving as Ambassador to the United States.[2] In the latter position, he facilitated the secret visit of US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger to China, a fact acknowledged by President Richard Nixon.[3] His younger brother Agha Shahi also an ICS officer followed in his footsteps and rose to be Foreign Minister of Pakistan. One of their uncles Sir Mirza Ismail served as Diwan Prime Minister of the princely state of Mysore, Jaipur and Hyderabad, India from 1926 to 1947. His nephew Akbar Mirza Khaleeli was a prominent Indian Diplomat and served as Indian Ambassador to Iran, Italy and Australia and was Advisor to the Indian Government on Middle Eastern Affairs. His son Zafar Hilaly is also a former ambassador of Pakistan.[4]

Awards and Recognition

Agha Hilaly received several international awards, including:

Death

Agha Hilaly died in Karachi on February 6, 2001, at the age of 90.[5]

See also

Diplomatic posts
Preceded by
Ghulam Ahmed		 Pakistan Ambassador to the United States
1966–1971		 Succeeded by
N.A.M. Raza

Reference

  1. ^ a b c d Khan, M. Nauman. "Biography at Salaam.co.uk". http://www.salaam.co.uk/knowledge/biography/viewentry.php?id=174. Retrieved 24 August 2011. 
  2. ^ "FOREIGN RELATIONS OF THE UNITED STATES, 1969–1976, VOLUME XVII, CHINA, 1969–1972". http://history.state.gov/historicaldocuments/frus1969-76v17/persons#p_HA1. Retrieved 24 August 2011. 
  3. ^ [1]
  4. ^ From Persia to Pakistan, via Mysore
  5. ^ "Obituaries : Agha Hilaly". Impact international: Volumes 31-32 31-32: 47. 2001.