Abdullah Hussain Haroon
Abdullah Hussain Haroon | |
|---|---|
| Pakistan Ambassador to the United Nations | |
| Assumed office 2008 | |
| Preceded by | Munir Akram |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 21 October 1950 Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan |
| Alma mater | Karachi Grammar School University of Karachi |
Abdullah Hussain Haroon (born 21 October 1950) was the Pakistan Ambassador to the United Nations from September 2008 to December 2012. A scion of the Haroon family, he is a businessman, social activist and a former Sindh Assembly speaker who was a board member of various educational institutes, sports associations and charity organisations.[1]
Family and education
Hussain Haroon is the elder brother of Hameed Haroon and grandson of Sir Abdullah Haroon, a famous politician, who Muhammad Ali Jinnah called one of the strongest pillars of the Muslim League. He belongs to a well-known Kutchhi family hailed from Kutchh in the neighbouring Indian state of Gujarat, settled in Karachi many years prior to independence of Pakistan in 1947.[2] He completed his education from Karachi Grammar School and the University of Karachi.
Career
Haroon began his early career in public service as election Coordinator for Pakistan Muslim League in 1970. Later he served as Councilor, Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) (1979–1985); Trustee Karachi Port Trust (KPT) (1980–1982); Member Provincial Assembly of Sindh (1985–1988), Speaker, Provincial Assembly of Sindh (1985–1986); and leader of opposition, Provincial Assembly of Sindh (1986–1988).
Hussain Haroon has also served as Consultant, Pakistan Herald Publications Limited (PHPL) (1988–1989); delegate to the United Nations General Assembly; Member to the Board of Governors, Institute of Business Administration, Karachi (1996–1999); Director Board of Directors Karachi Electric Supply Corporation (KESC) (1997–1999); Chairman, Griffith College Karachi (1999–2005) and President, Pakistan-China Business Forum (1999–2004). He is the president of English Speaking Union of Pakistan and also has the distinction of being the youngest president of the elite Sind Club.[1]
Social activism
Haroon has demanded the establishment of a town on the outskirts of Karachi and proposed that it be named after late Benazir Bhutto. His suggestion was that up to six million people from the interior Sindh be settled there.[1] He was also part of the protest against real estate development in Bundal Island by UAE-based Emaar Properties. Haroon is also known to have ably advocated the Sindh case against the Kalabagh Dam.[3]
Ambassador to UN
In July 2008, Hussain Haroon was appointed as the Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the United Nations, replacing veteran Munir Akram. The appointment was controversial because Haroon had no prior experience in the Pakistan Foreign Service or international diplomacy.[4] He took over the post on 3 September 2008.[5] Masood Khan, a career diplomat took over from Haroon from the 1 January 2013.
References
- ^ a b c Qudssia Akhlaque. Hussain Haroon to replace Munir Akram at UN The News, 7 June 2008
- ^ http://www.chowk.com/ilogs/76402/47758
- ^ Khaled Ahmed. "Hussain Haroon presents Sindh case against Kalabagh Dam" Daily Times, 24 January 2006
- ^ Ejaz Haider. "Axing Ambassador Munir Akram" Daily Times, 27 July 2008
- ^ "Haroon takes over as UN envoy" Daily Times, 5 September 2008
External links
- Use dmy dates from October 2012
- 1950 births
- Living people
- Muhajir people
- Pakistani Shia Muslims
- Pakistani people of Gujarati descent
- Pakistani people of Iranian descent
- Haroon family
- Permanent Representatives of Pakistan to the United Nations
- Pakistani businesspeople
- Pakistani diplomats
- Pakistani politicians
- Karachi Grammar School alumni
- University of Karachi alumni
- Politicians from Karachi
- Businesspeople from Karachi