Muhammad Hassan

Muhammad Hassan is an accomplished diplomat whose career spans more than four decades of distinguished service in Pakistan’s Foreign Service. Born in the mountain valleys of Gilgit-Baltistan — a historic crossroads of Silk Road civilizations — he grew up in an environment shaped by cultural, linguistic, and spiritual diversity. This early exposure to the confluence of ancient traditions inspired his lifelong commitment to intercultural dialogue, regional cooperation, and the preservation of shared heritage.

Throughout his diplomatic career, Mr. Hassan held a wide range of pivotal assignments at home and abroad. Details are as under:

·        1995–1997 – Pakistan Embassy, Tehran

·        2001–2004 – Permanent Mission of Pakistan to the United Nations, New York

·        2004–2006 – Embassy of Pakistan, Abu Dhabi

·        2007–2008 – Director / Deputy Chief of Protocol, MOFA, Islamabad

·        2009–2011 – Embassy of Pakistan, Beijing

·        2011–2015 – Minister (Political), Embassy of Pakistan, Washington DC

·        2015–2016 – Joint Secretary (Foreign Affairs), Prime Minister’s Secretariat, Islamabad

·        2017–2018 – Director General (China/EAP), MOFA, Islamabad

·        2018–2020 – Ambassador of Pakistan to Tunisia & Malta

·        2020–2023 – Ambassador of Pakistan to Indonesia, Timor-Leste, and ASEAN

·        August 2023 – Retired as Special Secretary (BPS-22), MOFA, Islamabad

Mr. Hassan’s association with the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) is longstanding and foundational. During his assignment in Tehran in the mid-1990s, he served as Pakistan’s focal point for ECO and contributed directly to the early institutional development of several ECO bodies, including the ECO Cultural Institute. His engagement at this formative stage provided him with profound insights into the region’s cultural interconnections and the crucial role that cultural diplomacy can play in strengthening cooperation among Member States. These insights continue to shape his leadership at ECI today.

Beyond diplomacy, Mr. Hassan is a strong advocate for raising awareness of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in Pakistan. His Urdu book, Autism ki Pehli Kitab (The Basic Book on Autism), is a pioneering contribution to public understanding of autism. The book offers practical guidance to parents, caregivers, and educators and fills a critical gap in Urdu-language ASD resources, reflecting his broader commitment to social development, community empowerment, and inclusive learning.

As President of the ECO Cultural Institute, Mr. Hassan envisions ECI as a dynamic platform where tradition meets innovation — a space in which the diverse cultural voices of the ten Member States are preserved, celebrated, and creatively reimagined for future generations. He is committed to strengthening cultural diplomacy, expanding digital cultural initiatives, empowering youth and creative communities, and deepening appreciation of the shared civilizational heritage that binds the ECO region together.