Sahibzada Yaqub paid rich tributes

Islamabad

Leader of the House in Senate Raja Muhammad Zafar ul Haq on Tuesday underlined the need for naming any important avenue after late Lieutenant General (r) Sahibzada Yaqub Khan in recognition of his meritorious diplomatic services.

Addressing the participants of a national literary reference held in memory of former foreign minister Sahibzada Yaqub he paid tribute to the deceased. He welcomed the government’s decision to name a block of Foreign Office after Sahibzada Yaqub. He also suggested for creating a chair on the name of Sahibzada Yaqub in universities.

Raja Zafar ul Haq said Sahibzada Yaqub had the principled stance on the East Pakistan and even sacrificed his post for it. He disclosed that he had recommended to make Sahibzada Yaqub as foreign minister due to his capabilities.

Raja recalled that he and Sahibzada Yaqub sat together in the Cabinet meeting and exchanged views on various issues. He said we both were used to travel in a single car after attending the Cabinet meeting with the purpose to discuss national issues.

Sharing past memories with the audience he recalled that in a farewell party given in the honour of Lord Mountbatten Yaqub asked the dignitary for any advice. Mountbatten said he (Yaqub) has no need for any advice as he is an educated man, Raja added.

He said Sahibzada Yaqub was a thorough gentleman and had the command on various languages. He regretted due benefit had not been taken from the services of Sahibzada Yaqub. He said services of the Sahibzada Yaqub would long be remembered not only in the country but also abroad. 

Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Syed Tariq Fatemi addressing the reference said he had enjoyed respect and honour among the world leaders because of his learning sincerity and vision.

Sahibzada Yaqub Khan was a man of principle and earned great respect not only in the country but across the world, he added.

Fatemi said that he used to speak with the world leaders in their respective languages because he had command over several languages. He said Sahibzada Yaqub had also the command on Urdu language and had a great love for the literature. Fatemi said Sahibzada Yaqub used to have long sitting with Faiz Ahmed Faiz in Moscow adding that the deceased was also a great admirer of Mirza Ghalib and Allam Muhammad Iqbal.