Zulfiqar Ahmad
ISLAMABAD: Muhammad Aslam Khan, a man of many titles – a fighter, a nationalist, a shining star of Pakistani diplomacy, a civil servant and an eloquent spokesperson for his country – passed away at the age of 69 in Kuwait.
His voice resonated with passion, his smile was infectious, and his gestures commanded attention, reflecting both authority and warmth.
Hailing from the small village of Shogram in the mountainous region of Chitral, few could have foreseen that he would rise to represent Pakistan on the global stage as a top diplomat.
For those who never had the privilege of meeting him, merely seeing or hearing him was enough to feel a profound sense of loss.
After completing his postgraduate degree in Economics from Quaid-e-Azam University Islamabad, Khan cracked the prestigious Central Superior Services (CSS) examination in 1983, ranking second nationwide and joined the Foreign Service of Pakistan.
Throughout his illustrious career, he served in various pivotal roles overseas, notably as deputy chief of mission at Pakistan Embassy in Washington and later as ambassador of Pakistan to Kuwait.
Khan\’s 35-year-long successful diplomatic journey marked him as one of Pakistan’s most influential figures in foreign relations. His tenure as ambassador in Kuwait was particularly notable, coinciding with a period of strained relations between Kuwait and Pakistan.
Through tireless efforts from 2014 to 2017 as ambassador of Pakistan, he played a pivotal role in easing tensions, leading to Kuwait lifting visa restrictions for Pakistani skilled workers, doctors, nurses and paramedics.
His posting as the first secretary in Geneva, Switzerland, in 1988 marked a turning point in global politics as in April 14, 1988, in Geneva, the representatives of the governments of Pakistan and Afghanistan signed three bilateral agreements intended to end the war in Afghanistan.
Khan\’s involvement in the Geneva Accord, a pivotal moment in world affairs, underscored Pakistan’s enhanced international standing as a key mediator.
During his tenure as deputy chief of mission in Washington, spanning three years during General Pervez Musharraf’s regime, Khan played a significant role in advancing Pakistan\’s interests on the world stage.
His previous positions include Director (UN) and Director (Afghanistan) at Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Counsellor (Political), Embassy of Pakistan, Cairo, First Secretary (Political), Embassy of Pakistan, Tehran and Second Secretary, Pakistan Permanent Mission to the United Nations Office, in Geneva, Switzerland.
Khan represented Pakistan at several important meetings and forums and was part of Pakistan delegations to UN General Assembly, Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Summit Kuala Lumpur and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Summit, Tehran.
Ambassador Aslam Khan\’s passing leaves a void, particularly in Chitral and Pakistan as a whole. His legacy of dedication to diplomacy and service to his country will be sorely missed.
In the realm of diplomacy, Khan was a master of timing, yet in his departure, timing failed him. He left us prematurely, at the age of 69, denying us the opportunity to benefit from his wisdom and leadership for longer.
To borrow from Shakespeare, his life was gentle, and the elements so mixed in him that nature might stand up and say to all the world: “This was a man.”
We were privileged to have him for sixty-nine years. May Allah almighty grant him the highest place in heaven. Ameen!
No doubt Ambassador Aslam Khan was not only a diplomat of repute but a thorough gentleman too. He was the first Chitrali to join the Foreign Service by passing Central Superior Services (CSS) exam with high merit. Indeed it was a big achievement for a Chitrali student to pass the competitive exam and qualify for the foreign service.
May his soul rest in eternal peace and may Allah give strength to his family to bear the loss.
I am impressed after going through the article about Ambassador Muhammad Aslam Khan sahib. Passing CSS exam in 80s when people from Chitral only used be employed as house servants eg chokidars, cooks in down cities. The young CSS and PMS officers from Chitral particularly DIG Syed Fida Hassan Shah, ex-bureaucrat Islamuddin of Lotkuh, Mir Wazir Khan, my dear friend DPO Imran Khan of Shotkhar, our dear bechi Syeda Maimoona Shah, Dr Sanya Hameed Pasha, Shagufta Jabeen and ASP Shazia Ishaq, etc, should hold a memorial reference to pay tribute to late Aslam Khan sahib. I am very sorry to say that all these Chitrali CSPs are leading kinda reclusive lifestyle which is in no way good for them in general and for Chitral in particular. Act like a genuine BADMASH kid of CSP officer instead of wasting your whole career waiting for your next promotions to grade 18, 19, 20, 21, 22 etc like typical baboos. And yes Anjumn-e-Tarqie Khowar should also spare some time for these kind of things instead of wasting its time on discussing folk songs like Yorman Hamin, Lowah, Nandosh, Nano xhan nan gherum nan wa taten kya gherum, Allah barik thenyo maten diti ma marar. Dusto maten doy ma khudai, roshty kore ma benzir, ma nasa nisheki ma nadir, ya ju bus kini dunya beer, hanun yor ma dehi no tareer, etc.
Footnote: Time for a complete course correction.