ISLAMABAD: Former Pakistan foreign secretary Najmuddin Shaikh has passed away in Karachi.
“It is with the most profound sorrow that we announce former Foreign Secretary and Ambassador, Najmuddin A Shaikh, passed away peacefully in his home on early Friday morning in Karachi,” said an announcement.
“We ask all to offer Surah-e-Fatiha to ease his passage to a more tranquil world,” it added.
His funeral prayers will be held on Friday, 28 March after Asr prayers at 5:15pm at Phase VIII Graveyard in DHA, Karachi.
He is survived by his wife of over 50 years, Raana Shaikh; his two children, Nadir and Nermeen; his daughter-in-law Sobia and two grandchildren, Isaad and Lyali; his brothers Riaz, Siraj, Ajaz, and Fareed, and sisters, Waheeda and Raffat, his many nieces and nephews, and a legion of devoted friends.
Foreign Affairs Ministry’s statement
A Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Office of the Spokesperson)’s statement issued on Friday stated: It is with profound sorrow that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announces the passing of Mr. Najmuddin A. Sheikh, a distinguished diplomat and former Foreign Secretary of Pakistan (1994–1997). He returned to his Creator this morning in Karachi, at the age of 85.
The statement said: An alumnus of the University of Sindh and the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University, Sheikh dedicated nearly four decades of his life to serving Pakistan with exceptional commitment and distinction.
Illustrious career
The statement said: His illustrious career included ambassadorial postings in Germany, Canada, the United States, and Iran, where he skillfully advanced Pakistan’s diplomatic interests. As Foreign Secretary, he brought visionary leadership to the role, shaping foreign policy with strategic foresight and mentoring generations of diplomats who followed in his footsteps.
Renowned for his diplomatic acumen, Sheikh was a steadfast advocate for international cooperation, regional stability, and human rights. His contributions earned him widespread respect at home and abroad, with colleagues and counterparts alike admiring his integrity, professionalism, and unwavering dedication to Pakistan.
Deepest condolences
Beyond his diplomatic service, he served on the Board of Governors of the Institute of Strategic Studies, Islamabad, and was a founding member of the Sindh Council of Foreign Relations.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs extends its deepest condolences to his family, friends, and all those who had the honor of knowing and working alongside him. His legacy of service and statesmanship will endure as an inspiration for future generations, the statement said.
