Hilaly was one of the first to do so and played an important role in shaping the strategic dimensions of Pakistan's foreign policy.

[2] Hilay, while representing Pakistan at the United Nations and serving as Ambassador to the United States,[2] played an important role in the US rapprochement with China, as he did in 1969 when he met with highest representatives of the US State Department, like Secretary Kissinger.

[4][5] This way he facilitated the secret visit of Henry Kissinger to China, a fact acknowledged by President Richard Nixon[6] and a symbol of a bold reversal of US policy towards an avowed enemy state.

[7] His younger brother Agha Shahi also an ICS officer followed in his footsteps and rose to be Foreign Minister of Pakistan.

One of their uncles Sir Mirza Ismail served as Diwan Prime Minister of the princely state of Mysore, Jaipur and Hyderabad, India from 1926 to 1947.