Pakistan’s Former Foreign Secretary Riaz Hussain Khokhar Tuesday passed away in Islamabad after a brief illness, reported the 24NewsHD TV channel.
Born in 1942, Khokhar joined the Foreign Service in October 1966.
He served as Pakistan's ambassador to India, the United States, and China before leading the top post of Foreign Secretary of Pakistan in June 2002.
His funeral prayer was offered at the H-8 graveyard in Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) and he was laid to rest in the same graveyard.
Former bureaucrats and political party leaders expressed their condolences over Khokhar's death.
Senior leader of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Sherry Rehman expressed her sincere condolences with the family and loved ones of the late ambassador.
“The late ambassador was always such a strong advocate of a progressive Pakistan and fiercely independent who served as Pakistan’s foreign secretary among many other diplomatic posts in tough situations.
Khokhar was always on the phone or in person to share his intellectual capital”, she shared massage on X, formerly knows as Twitter.
Caretaker Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani expressed deep sorrow and grief over the demise of Khokhar. ''A role model for the Foreign Service, he will be greatly missed. May Allah grant him a place in Jannat and solace to his family,'' he said in a post on X.
Former foreign secretary Tehmina Janjua said Khokhar was a ''giant of a man- an extraordinary human being with a heart of gold, a professional to the core who cared immensely about Pakistan. He had the sharpest memory and was never afraid of speaking the truth. He is irreplaceable.''