Karachi:
Former Foreign Minister of Foreign Affairs and Diplomat Najmuddin, a Shaikh, died peacefully at his home early Friday morning in Karachi, his family announced.
“It is with the deepest sadness that we are announcing the former secretary for foreign affairs and ambassador Najmuddin, a Shaikh died peacefully in his home early Friday morning in Karachi,” the family said in a statement sent to the Express.
Funeral prayers for Shaikh will be held on March 28, after the Prayers of the ASR at 5:15 p.m. at the Graveyard DHA of Phase VIII, Karachi.
Shaikh, who was secretary to foreign affairs in Pakistan from 1994 to 1997, was a much appreciated diplomat. Originally from the Sindh, he joined the external service of Pakistan in 1961 after graduating from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy in 1962. During his 38 years of career, he held key diplomatic assignments, including ambassador roles in Canada (1987-1989), West Germany (1989-1990) (1990–1991) and Iran (1992–194). He was succeeded as Minister of Foreign Affairs by Shamshad Ahmad.
Beyond his external service, he was sent special from Pakistan to Yemen, Sudan, Kenya and Bahrain in 2005. He was also a member of the Board of Directors at the Institute of Strategic Studies, Islamabad, and was vice-president of Karachi Council of Foreign Relations.
Shaikh has left his wife to mourn for over 50 years, Raana Shaikh, former director general of Pakistani television and secretary of the Ministry of Culture. He leaves behind two children, Nadir Shaikh, partner of Financial Advisory Qatalyst Partners LLP, and Nermeen Shaikh, producer of news broadcast and weekly co-animator at Democracy Now! He also leaves to mourn his daughter-in-law, Sobia Shaikh, and two grandchildren, Isaad and Lyali Shaikh.
His brothers and sisters include Waheeda Noorul Hasan, Sirajuddin Shaikh (formerly of Su Southern Gas Company), Air Marshal (Retd) Riazuddin Shaikh, Dr Ajazuddin Shaikh, Dr Rafat Arain and Dr Freeddin Shaikh.
Thinking about his heritage, his niece Eruk Shaikh, head of the business office at L’Express PK Press Club, described it as “a treasure of knowledge and a distinguished diplomat which served Pakistan with unwavering dedication”, adding that “conversations with him were not only exchange of words, but travel.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has paid tribute, declaring: “As Minister of Foreign Affairs, Shaikh brought visionary leadership to this role, shaping foreign policy with strategic pension plans and the mentorship of generations of diplomats who followed its traces.”
Renowned for its diplomatic sense, it was recalled as “an ardent defender of international cooperation, regional stability and human rights”.
The condolences flocked from colleagues, friends and civil servants. The Sherry Rehman of Pakistan People Party wrote on X (formerly Twitter): “Gratéd during the death of the former Foreign Affairs Secretary Najmuddin Shaikh. He was a veteran diplomat who continued to serve Pakistan with the highest integrity after his retirement. We will miss a lot. ”
The former permanent representative of the UN, Maleeha Lodhi, called him “a solid and good human being”, while the former ambassador to the United States, Husain Haqqani, described him as “an honorable and capable diplomat who served Pakistan in difficult capitals and difficult circumstances”.
Khurram Dastagir of the Muslim League of Pakistan deplored the loss of “a declining race of diplomats interested in the world and with the ability to analyze global events”.
Shaikh’s family asked prayers in their memory, declaring: “We ask everyone to offer a sura by Surah to relieve their passage in a quieter world.”
