Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has lauded Pakistan's role at the United Nations and its support to the organisation's efforts to promote regional and international peace and security. The UN chief made that statement at a meeting that took place after Pakistan's new Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Masood Khan, presented his credentials to him on Friday, according to a press release of the Pakistan Mission to the UN.
The Secretary-General especially mentioned Pakistan's support to the UN Peace-keeping operations around the world as the highest contributor of troops. Noting that Ambassador Khan has assumed his position at an important moment when Pakistan is a member of the UN Security Council, Ban said that he looks forward to working with him and draw upon his diverse experience in multilateral diplomacy. On his part, Ambassador Masood Khan conveyed the gratitude of the President, the Prime Minister and the people of Pakistan to the Secretary-General for his strong and consistent support to Pakistan. "The People of Pakistan would never forget the Secretary-General leadership for mobilising the humanitarian support following massive and devastating floods in Pakistan," he said.
He assured the Secretary-General of Pakistan delegation's support to his initiative. Ambassador Khan, a career diplomat, was until recently Pakistan's Ambassador to China. From 2005 to 2008, he was the ambassador and permanent representative of Pakistan to the United Nations European Offices in Geneva. Khan joined the Foreign Service of Pakistan in 1980.