The Boston Globe pub;ished the Washington Post's article about Husain Haqqani, new Pakistan Ambassador to the U.S.:
"Most ambassadors gain real influence only after years of working Washington's corridors of power - and often only with the help of expensive lobbying firms. But Husain Haqqani, the ambassador-designate from Pakistan, already knows almost everyone who counts."
"....As spokesman and political confidant of then-Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, Haqqani became a familiar face at Washington think tanks, on American news programs, and on Capitol Hill, where he lobbied, after being exiled in 1999, against the government of President Pervez Musharraf. Now that Bhutto's Pakistan People's Party is back in power, Haqqani has become the public face of Pakistan in Washington."
Now there's a job that will never, ever be boring.
The previous Globe blurb about Haqqani (April 5, 2008) noted his local connection:
"A Boston University professor with close ties to slain Pakistani leader Benazir Bhutto is expected to be appointed Pakistan's new ambassador to Washington - a move analysts say could usher in closer relations between the newly elected civilian government and the United States. Husain Haqqani, a leading foreign policy specialist who teaches international relations, was recently appointed "ambassador at large" and adviser to the foreign affairs ministry of Pakistan. Akram Shahidi, a spokesman for Pakistan's embassy in Washington, said Haqqani's posting as US ambassador 'is under active consideration' but has not been finalized. The position was left vacant by a general from the old regime who is slated to be the country's security adviser. A native of Pakistan, Haqqani was Bhutto's information minister. He was exiled more than six years ago under the government's autocratic rule and has since been in the United States cultivating close relationships with government officials, academics, and members of Congress."
You can get a taste of Mr. Haqqani from a Charlie Rose show here. Haqqanis's website with more links to PBS interviews, is here.
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