Legendry bureaucrat Roedad Khan passes away at 100

Roedad Khan, one of Pakistan's earliest civil servants and a keen observer of the nation's tumultuous history and politics spanning over seven decades passed away in Islamabad on Sunday at the age of 100.

Tributes and condolences poured in as soon as the news of Roedad Khan’s passing was shared in the media on Sunday as his death would leave an irreparable void in the South Asian nation.

Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed remembered Roedad as a National Icon and Legend. He lived a full life of service to Pakistan during our tumultuous periods, Syed said, adding “Truly a unique, multifaceted personality of our times! He will be missed by his countless admirers!”

Former TV host Moeed Pirzada called Roedad a living walking history of Pakistan, with his departure country having lost its connection with the past - and is hurtling like a spaceship into an uncertain unknown future.

A writer, orator, and historian used to write in top publications and also authored a couple of books.

Khan was born in North Frontier Province what is now Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on September 29, 1923. He joined the Pakistan Civil Service in 1949 and held many important civil service roles.

He served as the chief secretary of Pakistan’s southern Sindh province and the chief secretary of KP and was also appointed as the managing director of the state-owned Pakistan Television. He also served as the secretary of the ministries of information, labor, tourism, and interior throughout various governments.

Khan also served as the secretary-general of the interior ministry and as a former adviser to the prime minister.

The Pakistani civil servant served with five presidents and three former prime ministers, allowing him to be a witness to the country’s political upheavals.

He turned 100 last year on September 28, 2023.

After retiring, he continued to write, penning two books and frequently contributing to prominent journals.

Khan was laid to rest at the H-11 graveyard in Islamabad.