Ex-Foreign Secretary Riaz Hussain Khokhar passes away after a brief illness

ISLAMABAD, Dec 26 (SABAH): Former foreign secretary Riaz Hussain Khokhar passed away on Tuesday after a brief illness.

Caretaker Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani, Caretaker Minister for Information, Broadcasting and Parliamentary Affairs Murtaza Solangi, Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States Sardar Muhammad Masood Khan and Pakistan People’s Party leader and former minister for climate change Senator Sherry Rehman have expressed deep grief and sorrow on the death of Riaz Hussain Khokhar and have extended his heartfelt condolences over his demise.

In a statement issued on twitter on Tuesday, Jalil Abbas Jilani wrote “Inna lillahi wa inna ilehi rajioon. On behalf of Foreign Office, I express our deep sorrow and grief over the sad demise of Amb Riaz hokhar, former FS. A role model for the Foreign Service, he will be greatly missed. May Allah grant him a place in Jannat and solace to his family”.

Caretaker Minister for Information, Broadcasting and Parliamentary Affairs Murtaza Solangi has extended his heartfelt condolences over the demise of former Foreign Secretary Riaz Khokhar.

In a statement on Tuesday, he also commiserated with the bereaved family. Murtaza Solangi paid rich tribute to the foreign secretary on his diplomatic services for the country, which will always be remembered.

Riaz Khokhar had represented Pakistan in leading capitals of the world, including Washington, Beijing, and New Delhi. He continued extending his precious advices to the state of Pakistan as well as his services on the academic front even after his retirement and till last day of his life.

Meanwhile Sardar Muhammad Masood Khan wrote in his message on twitter “Grieving over the passing of Ambassador Riaz Khokhar, former Foreign Secretary. Candid, forthright and effective diplomat. Caring towards his peers and colleagues. He will be missed. Condolences to family and friends. May his soul rest in peace”.

Senator Sherry Rehman expressed her condolences with the family and loved ones of the late ambassador. “The late ambassador was always such a strong advocate of a progressive Pakistan and fiercely independent who served as Pakistan’s foreign secretary among many other diplomatic posts in tough situations. Khokhar was always on the phone or in person to share his intellectual capital,” she shared massage on X, formerly knows as Twitter.

Riaz Hussain Khokhar was born on December 31, 1942. He served as Pakistan’s ambassador to India, the United States and China before leading the top post of Foreign Secretary of Pakistan at the Foreign Ministry. Riaz Hussain Khokhar served as the Foreign Secretary of Pakistan from June 2002 to February 2005.