Holds Master’s Degree in International Relations from QAU, Islamabad. Joined the Foreign Service of Pakistan in 1982.
Held various diplomatic assignments at Pakistan Missions abroad; Moscow (1985 - 1988), New York (1991 - 1994), Sana'a (1994 - 1997), Geneva (2001 - 2003), London (September 2003 - August 2008).
Served at Headquarters as Section Officer (1983 - 1988 & 1991), Director (1997 - 2001), Director General (2008-2009), Spokesman (2009 - 2012) & Additional Secretary (2010 - 2012).
He was Pakistan Ambassador to Germany from 2012 - 2014 and High Commissioner to India from 2014 to 2017.
He is presently President of Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS), Islamabad. He writes for dailies Arab News, The News and Express Tribune. He also hosts TV talk show "Awaz e Pakistan with Abdul Basit".