Ali Jehangir Siddiqui

Siddiqui has been notable in his several business ventures, as a counsel and advisor throughout his career. This came from his work and investment with partners for setting up various businesses, including:

• Airblue[18]
• Arabian Gulf Steel (a steel producer in the UAE)[19][20]
• Jura Energy (a Canadian oil and gas company with operations in Pakistan)[21][20]
• RAK Ghani Glass (the largest pharmaceutical glass producer in the UAE and GCC countries)[22]
• JS Private Equity Management (founder and later Chief Investment Officer) [23]

The Global Artificial Intelligence Unicorn, Afiniti International Holdings, revised its advisory board at the start of 2019, appointing Ali Jehangir Siddiqui as the member of Advisory board[24] with Former UK Prime Minister David Cameron joining as Chairman of the Board, [25] Lord John Browne - CEO BP, Andrew Knight – Chairman Times Newspapers, Andrea Wong-Director Liberty Media International.[26]

He had previously been a member on the boards of different government institutions.

• Board member of the Community Development Board (CDB) of the Government of Sindh[27][28]
• Board member of the Private Sector Task Force of the Planning Commission of the Government of Pakistan[29]
• Board member of the Board of Investment of the Government of Sindh[30]
• Board member of the Privatization Commission of the Government of Pakistan[31]

In March 2018, he was appointed as the Ambassador of Pakistan to the United States and commenced his duties on 29 May 2018.[37]

As an Ambassador, he handled numerous regular engagements and meetings such as Congressional Outreach Programs, Think-tank meetings, Trade & Economy sittings, Embassy events, and Media as well as academia addressing.[38]

Prior to his appointment as the Pakistani Ambassador to the United States, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) claimed that Siddiqui was involved in matters relating to three companies: Azgard, Agritech, and Monte Bello which caused losses to investors and shareholders.[39] Their claim was that he's the director of Azgard which siphoned moneys amounting to €23.758 million to purchase the company Monte Bello SRL using another company Fairytal SRL Sweden which resulted in loss for shareholders. He also sold shares under Azgard to government institutions at higher market rate in order to compensate for the company's loans.[40]

On the contrary, other reports suggested that the allegations from NAB were baseless. These allegations were politically driven because the Azgard and Agritech matters were already sub-judice prior to Siddiqui's appointment and Siddiqui was neither a party nor a respondent in these proceedings. Siddiqui had also left the board of directors of Montebellos parent company 4 years prior to its bankruptcy. The counterclaims, thus, indicated that the allegations in the investigation were an attempt to defame him and impede his appointment as ambassador. The court decided in favour of Siddiqui.[41]

Siddiqui's reputation and work was acknowledged by US commentators[42] while it was frequently criticized by Indian media.[43]

In June 2018, Siddiqui presented his credentials to US President Donald Trump.[44][45]

In July 2018, Siddiqui met James Mattis, the US Secretary of Defence. The meeting took place at the Pentagon where Siddiqui received a guard of honor on behalf of Pakistan.[46]

During celebrations for Pakistan's 71st Anniversary of Independence in August 2018 at the Pakistani Embassy in Washington, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Ambassador Alice Wells, the chief guest at the event, acknowledged Pakistan's sacrifices against terrorism.[38][47]

In October 2018, the Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi announced a change in Pakistan's ambassadorial appointments to multiple countries including the United States, Canada, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Serbia, Cuba amongst others. The individuals being changed were appointed during the regime of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).[48][49]

Soon after Shahid Khaqan Abbasi became Prime Minister of Pakistan, Siddiqui joined the Government and served as a Special Assistant to the Prime Minister with the status of a Minister of State from August 2017 until May 2018.[6]

On 13 June 2019, Ali Jehangir Siddiqui was appointed as the Ambassador for Foreign Investments in Pakistan in an Honorary Capacity.[50] He played an important role in promoting US-Pakistan partnership and political relationship, who believes that, "Over the years, this partnership has shaped other global bilateral interactions as well as regional political developments."[51]

Following Trump's tweet which produced negative sentiments against the US among Pakistani public, through Siddiqui's efforts, he has been able to open doors to mutual diplomatic dialogues between Pakistan and the US.

Under his tenure due to the efforts of the current government in encouraging foreign and local investments in the country, Hutchison Port Holdings – Hong Kong-based port operator— committed on 15 October 2019 to invest US$240 million in Karachi Port[52] in order to make it a major trading hub.[53]

The Pakistani Prime Minister, Imran Khan received the delegation of the group in October 2019, led by their Managing Director, Eric Ip. Many other Pakistani dignitaries attended the meeting, including Minister for Maritime Affairs Syed Ali Haider Zaidi, Advisor to PM on Commerce Abdul Razzaq Dawood, Special Assistant to PM Syed Zulfiqar Abbas Bukhari, Ambassador at Large for Foreign Investment Mr. Ali Jehangir Siddiqui, Chairman Board of Investment Zubair Haider Gilani and other senior officials.[54][55]