The Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad bid a warm and respectful farewell to Sohail Mahmood as he completed his term as Director General. He assumed leadership of the ISSI on 1 January 2023 after retiring from the Foreign Service of Pakistan and having served with distinction as the 30th Foreign Secretary.
During his tenure, Sohail Mahmood guided a programme of institutional reforms to strengthen research capacity and administrative efficiency while broadening both national and international outreach. Under his leadership the Institute launched new focal initiatives, including the ASEAN Corner, the China Corner and the Kashmir Resource Centre, reinforcing ISSI’s role as a leading policy advocacy and strategic research institution.
Colleagues including Dr. Talat Shabbir, Director (Administration) and head of the China-Pakistan Study Centre, and Malik Qasim Mustafa, Director of the Arms Control and Disarmament Centre, shared professional recollections of working with Sohail Mahmood, highlighting notable gains in research output, dialogue initiatives and the Institute’s public visibility.
Ambassador Khalid Mahmood, Chairman of ISSI’s Board of Governors, paid tribute to Sohail Mahmood for transformative contributions that enhanced the quality and relevance of ISSI’s research and strengthened its policy input at home and abroad. The Chairman presented the Institute’s souvenir in recognition of his service and leadership.
In his farewell remarks Sohail Mahmood described it as a privilege to lead the Institute, praised the dedication of the research faculty and administrative staff, and expressed confidence that ISSI is well positioned to scale new heights in research excellence and outreach. He thanked colleagues for their support and paid special tribute to Ambassador Khalid Mahmood for his wise guidance. Beginning 1 January 2026, Sohail Mahmood will assume new responsibilities as Secretary General of the Developing-8 Organization for Economic Cooperation.
