Masood Ahmad Azizi

Early life

Masood Ahmad Azizi was born on 4 June 1983 in Kandahar Province, into a family of relative affluence, son to a prominent Political and tribal leader Abdul Aziz Khan. Major Gen. Azizi became involved in politics as the Special Assistant to the Governor of Kandahar and rapidly began impressing his superiors, mentors and the citizens alike with his thorough knowledge for political attributes already obtained and further attentive to absorb and reflect effectively and efficiently resulting in positive, innovative plans and ideas which turned into programs benefiting the Province and on wards the Republic as a whole.

Political career

Masood Ahmad Azizi became Deputy Minister of Policy and Strategy in Ministry of Interior and Brigadier General in December 2013. President Karzai issued Azizi a second star to Major General Azizi for his accomplishments in the honor of his Nation.

Over the last 10 years, Major Gen. Azizi has acquired a vast amount of experience and has been exposed to every significant aspect within the political arena vital to evolving ones career towards the most important goal shared by all those working within the Public sector, servicing the Republic and its peoples to the best of their capabilities for a stronger, healthier and unified Afghanistan.

Major Gen. Azizi has had the honor and privilege to chair numerous positions within Afghanistan ranging from the Special Assistant to a Governor to being the Chief of Staff of Nangarhar. These roles, and others in between, offered him the opportunity to advise and learn from Senior Leadership, but also identify and strengthen his core competencies for the position he currently holds today as the Deputy Minister of Interior for Policy and Strategy. During his tenure in all of his positions, and due to his distinguishable performance and solid work ethic, he has surely and steadily has been recognized and promoted for his efforts to perform his duties and responsibilities effectively and efficiently on a continual basis. As Chief of Staff of Nangarhar, Major Gen. Azizi immediately identified three key issues. The first was the high poppy cultivation rate in Nangarhar, the second was the need to implement infrastructure concerning the rule of law, and the third was to reduce the gap between the local community and government. He accomplished this by not only creating 5 years strategic plan, but remaining actively involved in overseeing the regulations and enforcement of achievements to ensure that the end result was realised to the fullest of expectations and satisfaction and would be continued accordingly. All of the constructive effects reached Tribal Elders, Islamic Scholars, Youth and Women for the improvement in way of life for Afghans.

Two significant programs that Major Gen. Azizi was instrumental in, and both were substantial national and international talking points, were: Disarmament of illegal groups while simultaneously informing, educating and interacting with the local populace to keep the public informed every step of the way. These efforts were not popular with many groups who did not have Afghanistan nor its peoples in their best interests and it took stern dedication, commitment and personal risk to his life to succeed. For his “commitment, dedication and personal risk for Afghanistan” he was awarded the Hero Medal “Ghazi Meer Masjidi Khan Medal”, one of the most prestigious medals and forms of gratitude issued by the government to an employee in the Public sector recognizing excellence, devotion and devout patriotism by one man for all those he has sworn to serve and protect.

Education

Major Gen. Azizi was educated at an independent school during his migration in Pakistan. He holds a Bachelor in Law and a Master in International Relations from a prominent British institute, Warwick University. He has also attended many courses and workshops relevant to his past and prior work in Afghanistan and in many developed countries, a prime example being recently attended courses on “Leadership and Local Governance, Media and Management, Strategic Studies and Post-Conflict studies”.

MG. Azizi wrote his Master’s thesis on “Tribalism in Afghanistan” and has, at the request of world-renowned colleagues, associates, leaders, specialists, admirers and other dignified individuals or groups, performed hours of interviews, lectures, in-person sessions and research in reference concerning the effects of international policies related to Afghanistan.

MG. Azizi is famous to be obsessive about his work and how it impacts those around him, dedicated to the utmost levels, has demonstrated a resilient history in approach to his job and continues to display the desire and devotion to contribute all he has and then some to constantly raise the bar as he believes in only obtaining the best for those he loves and serves. He is fluent in all local and regional languages as he enjoys speaking with all of his country’s people and many international languages to avoid any language barriers with those considered friends and allies of Afghanistan: Pashto, Dari, Urdu and English.

Community Involvement

Major Gen. Azizi studied abroad but has never lost sight of the tribal and cultural dynamics of Afghanistan. After ten years in politics, and as the existing Chairman of Afghanistan Forward, the knowledge and experience will not stop there as he continues to learn, grow and share. As Afghanistan is currently in a transitional period, and will be for decades to come, MG. Azizi strongly believes that whilst continuing his already progressive work in policy and strategy inside of Afghanistan, additionally improving his regional and international policies will contribute to and strengthen the relationship of Afghanistan with its close to distant neighbors for a stronger Republic as a whole. A Republic who is on the verge of, and must be prepared to return to its former position of glory as one of the worlds most used and valuable trade routes and strategic hubs rating on a global capacity. Policy and strategy plays one of the most important parts in ensuring that Afghanistan and its peoples remain true to its cultural and customs beliefs and take effective preventive measures to eliminate the risks of failing while evolving into the position of strength and power to benefit Afghanistan, its neighbors and friends around the world.

Currently, MG. Azizi is actively involved in civic, political and international associations that focus on the immediate needs and priorities of Afghanistan.

Positions and Organisations

Country director Afghan Transportation Network for the Ministry of Defense - Founder and Chairman of “Afghanistan Forward” a civil network formed by the future business and political leaders of Afghanistan - Member of the United Nations Global Compact - Member of the International Code of Conduct (ICoC) Association - Liaison to NATO Officers in Eastern of Afghanistan.