n August 6, Pakistan lost one of its finest civil servants, Ghulam Muhammad Sikandar—known to friends and colleagues simply as GM Sikandar. A man of extraordinary humility and steely resolve, he passed away in Lahore after a prolonged illness. His funeral brought together senior bureaucrats, political leaders and citizens who had encountered his warmth and professionalism over a remarkable 39-year career in service to the state.

Born in Shigar district in Gilgit-Baltistan, Sikandar’s rise through the ranks of Pakistan’s civil service was a testament not just to his intellect, but also to his unflinching dedication to public service. From humble beginnings, he emerged as one of the most respected officers of the Pakistan Administrative Service, holding senior roles such as deputy commissioner in several districts, secretary to the Punjab chief minister, principal secretary, the Punjab chief secretary and eventually federal secretary. Yet, it was never his titles that defined him—it was his character.

Former chief minister Chaudhry Parvez Elahi remembers him as “more than an administrator.” Speaking to The News on Sunday, Elahi said, “GM Sikandar was a pillar of support during my tenure. He was an honest, decent man who never allowed bureaucracy to become a barrier between the people and their government. He was instrumental in implementing our pro-people reforms and always made sure that the public remained at the heart of policymaking. He served not me—but the people.”

Those who worked with him recall a man who walked softly and thought deeply. As Punjab chief secretary, Sikandar steered the province’s bureaucracy with quiet confidence, introducing internal reforms that are still cited today. He believed in nurturing young officers and setting an example through action rather than words. Many who rose through the ranks under his mentorship say they never encountered a more compassionate or principled leader.

One of the most heartfelt tributes came from Syed Tayyab Hussain Rizvi, an advocate of the Supreme Court of Pakistan and son of late Zia H Rizvi, a lifelong friend of GM Sikandar’s. Speaking to The News on Sunday, Rizvi said, “The passing of GM Sikandar is a deeply personal loss for me and for all those who had the honour of knowing him closely. He was far more than a distinguished bureaucrat — he was a man of principle, quiet dignity and unwavering commitment to public service.

“My late father, Zia H Rizvi, a lifelong friend of GM sahib, often said he was among the rare few in government who remained unchanged by power. His heart was always with the people — particularly the vulnerable and the voiceless. I recall how he would call my father, quietly inquiring if anyone needed help. He would drop by without fanfare, never seeking recognition, always acting out of compassion.

“Pakistan has had very few individuals like GM Sikandar. His integrity, humility and silent strength left a lasting impression on all of us who were fortunate to grow up around his steady presence. His passing leaves a void that cannot be filled.

“He was a visionary social leader, not just a bureaucrat. His simplicity and humanity made him a role model. Officers today need to understand what he lived every day—that service is not controlled. It is compassion.”

“May Allah grant him the highest place in jannah and give strength to his family and loved ones to bear this immense loss. Ameen.”

Tributes also poured in from Gilgit-Baltistan, where he was affectionately known as Mohsin-i-Gilgit-Baltistan (the benefactor of Gilgit-Baltistan). Despite holding some of the highest offices in the country, Sikandar never lost touch with his roots. Villagers from Shigar remember him for sending medicine shipments, arranging scholarships and ensuring that public infrastructure—often neglected in the region—received attention from the federal government. He is remembered not only for where he went, but also for how far he took others along.

Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif issued a formal condolence, recognising Sikandar’s 39 years of meritorious service. Additional Chief Secretary South Punjab Fuad Hashim Rabbani described him as “an embodiment of courtesy, grace and integrity in public office.” Even those who had never met him spoke of his legacy with reverence—as if the example he set had entered the bloodstream of Pakistan’s civil service.

What distinguished GM Sikandar was not mere competence, but his ability to humanise power. He was known to return calls from low-ranking staff, attend funerals of junior colleagues and ensure that no file was delayed when it concerned a pensioner, widow or someone in distress. In a system often accused of insensitivity, he remained an exception. There are stories of him reprimanding officers for arrogance or neglect. But the reprimands were never personal; they were reminders that state service was a moral responsibility.

Professor Dr Sikander Zarren, a fellow Shigar native, summed it best when he said, “He was a visionary social leader, not just a bureaucrat by designation. His simplicity and humanity made him a role model. Officers today need to understand what he lived every day—that service is not controlled. It is compassion.”

His legacy cannot be confined to files or titles. It lives on in the minds of those who witnessed a different kind of civil servant—one who did not terrorise with power, but inspired with humility.

In his final days, he remained the man he had always been —refusing special protocol, resisting hospitalisation until absolutely necessary and asking friends to pray for the country. His passing is not just a personal loss to those who knew him—it is a collective bereavement for those who believed that public service could still be noble. May Allah grant him eternal peace, elevate his rank and give strength to his family in this difficult hour.

The writer is an award winning investigative journalist based in Lahore. He can be reached on X @HassanNaqvi5.