Ex-caretaker PM Mir Hazar Khan Khoso passes away

QUETTA: Former caretaker prime minister Justice (R) Mir Hazar Khan Khoso passed away on Saturday and will be laid to rest in district Lehri, Sibbi today (Sunday).

Born on September 30, 1929 Khoso graduated in law from the University of Karachi in 1956. He then became an advocate in the High Court of West Pakistan Karachi bench and the Supreme Court of Pakistan. He later became a permanent judge of the Balochistan High Court in 1987 before serving as an additional judge twice.

Khoso was also appointed chief justice of the BHC in December 1989 and retired on September 29, 1991. He served as the acting governor of Balochistan twice from June 25 to July 12, 1990 and then again from March 13, 1991 to July 13, 1991.

Owing to the respect and trust he enjoyed from Baloch nationalist leaders and separatist elements of Balochistan the then ruling party considered him invaluable in bringing disgruntled elements to unity.

After retiring from the provincial court in September 1991 Khoso took up the office of judge of the Federal Shariat Court. After a few years of service in 1994 Khoso was promoted as Chief Justice of the Federal Shariat Court.

Due to his reputation Khoso also served as the Balochistan Chairman of the Zakat Council, a position that demands both uprightness and responsibility. This was a testimony to Khoso’s wide popularity among the leadership of Balochistan.

Our correspondent adds: Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar has expressed deep sense of sorrow and grief over the sad demise of former caretaker Prime Minister Mir Hazaar Khan Khoso. The Chief Minister has also extended heartfelt sympathies and condolences with the bereaved family members. In his condolence message, Chief Minister Usman Bazdar paid homage to the services of the late Mir Hazaar Khan Khoso for the country and said that with his demise, Pakistan has lost a patriotic figure. The Chief Minister prayed that may Allah Almighty rest the departed soul in eternal peace and grant courage and strength to the bereaved family members to bear this irreparable loss with equanimity.