Lieutenant-General Muhammad Masood Aslam, HI, HI(M), SJ, 12th Entry LW
Lieutenant General Muhammad Masood Aslam, Hilal e Imtiaz(HI), Hilal e Imtiaz(Mil), Sitara e Jurrat(SJ), was commissioned in one of the oldest regiments of Pakistan infantry in November 1971. Soon after joining the unit he participated in 1971 War in the Chhamb Sector (Kashmir), where he was critically wounded while leading an attack as a platoon commander across Tawi River near Pallanwala. He was awarded a golden wound stripe and an Imtiazi Sanad.
After 1971 he participated in several conflicts with distinction and held numerous command and staff appointments in Pakistan Army, most notably in 1987-88 as a company commander in Siachen, then as a Brigade Commander in 1999 Kargil Crisis where he was awarded Sitara e Jurrat (SJ). He commanded an infantry Division in Azad Kashmir during the 2001-2002 standoff with India and later from 2007-2010 as Commander of the XI Corps in Peshawar. He was the Operational Commander during the Pakistani Army’s campaign in the Swat Valley region (including Dir, Buner and Shangla) as well as Bajaur, Mohmand, Khyber, Kurram and South Wazirastan Agency against Taliban-led forces.
In addition General Aslam functioned as the Colonel Commandant of the well-respected Punjab Regiment from 2008 to 2010. During various operations he was awarded with the gallantry awards of Sitara e Jurrat and Imtiazi Sanad. He was awarded Hilal e Imtiaz (M) for his military services in 2005. On 4 Dec 2009 he lost his only son, Hashim Masood, a student of EME College in the terrorist attack on Parade Lane Mosque during Friday prayers. Before retiring from the military he was awarded Hilal-e-Imtiaz in 2010, for his contribution towards bringing peace in the region. General Aslam also served as Pakistani Ambassador to Mexico after retirement and returned to Pakistan in July 2013.
He is leading a retired life in Islamabad and remains actively involved with numerous think tanks in Pakistan and abroad. He is a member of the Advisory Board of National Institute of Policy Studies (NIPS), a Forum of NUST. He has a special expertise in countering militancy, violent extremism, de-radicalisation and undertaking rehabilitative measures to ensure stability and lasting peace in Pakistan and the region.