Career diplomat, ex-PCB chief Shaharyar Khan passes away

KARACHI: Master diplomat and former chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board Shaharyar Khan passed away in Lahore on Saturday at the age of 89.

Born in 1934 in the Qasr-e-Sultani Palace in Bhopal State in British India, Shaharyar Khan was the only son of Nawab Muhammad Sarwar Ali Khan, the ruler of the former princely state of Kurwai and Princess Begum Abida Sultan, crown princess of the last ruling Nawab of Bhopal.

Having joined the foreign service of Pakistan in 1957, Shaharyar Khan became foreign secretary in 1990, and remained in this post till he retired in 1994. He served in the UK, Tunisia, Jordan, France, and the UN in various capacities both as part of the foreign service and also later as the UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General to Rwanda from 1994–1996.

Those younger would remember Shaharyar Khan more for his affiliation with the Pakistan Cricket Board. Known for his enthusiasm for cricket, Khan served two terms as chairman of the PCB -- 2003 to 2006 and from 2014 to 2017.

With news of his death spreading across social media, some of the more poignant tributes to Shaharyar Khan came from students he had taught at LUMS, where the former diplomat was part of the Social Sciences faculty and taught a course titled ‘Pakistan’s Foreign Relations’.

On Saturday, in a condolence statement, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif expressed grief over the passing away of Shaharyar Khan whom he called a “dedicated diplomat” who contributed “excellently to the promotion of Pakistan’s foreign relations”.

The prime minister said that Khan as diplomat “promoted Pakistan’s foreign policy interests in the best possible manner” while as PCB chairman he “fulfilled his responsibilities in an excellent manner”.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, meanwhile, tweeted out an obituary message on Saturday, mourning the passing away of the former diplomat and honouring his “monumental services in protecting Pakistan’s diplomatic interests.” Reacting to news of his death, former ambassador Maleeha Lodhi recalled Shaharyar Khan as an “outstanding diplomat and wonderful human being” whose services to the country “will always be remembered”.

The PCB also expressed grief over the death of its former chairman, saying that the board will “always remember him as one of the vital characters in bringing cricket back to Pakistan during the last decade.”

Calling Khan a “fine administrator” who served Pakistan cricket “with utmost dedication”, PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi said: “Pakistan cricket will stay indebted to the late Shaharyar Khan for his commendable role as head of the board and for his services in the growth and development of the game in the country”.

Najam Sethi, former PCB chairman and also a friend of Shaharyar Khan in a tweeted message remembered the late diplomat as a “true, wise and gentle Prince among men”, adding that “it was an honour to know him and pleasure to work with him.”

Foreign Secretary Muhammad Syrus Qazi called Khan “one of Pakistan’s finest diplomats” who had left behind a “rich legacy of accomplishment and protecting and promoting Pakistan’s interests”.

Shaharyar Khan was also a published author whose books included his work on Rwanda, his book on Bhopal, his book on India-Pakistan relations, and his biography of his mother.He is survived by his wife, three sons, and a daughter.