Glowing tributes were paid to late Sahabzada Yaqub Khan, former foreign minister at a condolence meeting held here at the Foreign Office on Friday. According to a Foreign Office statement, the meeting was chaired by Adviser to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz and was also attended by Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Syed Tariq Fatemi.
Former foreign ministers, foreign secretaries, ambassadors; and officers of the Ministry as well as the family members of late Sahabzada Yaqub Khan were also present on the occasion. Sartaj Aziz, while remembering late Sahabzada Yaqub Khan's services to the nation as a soldier and a diplomat remarked that he was a true statesman, a skillful envoy and a thorough professional.
The Adviser stated that being the longest serving Foreign Minister of Pakistan, late Sahabzada Yaqub Khan played a pivotal role in raising the diplomatic profile and stature of Pakistan among the comity of nations. In his remarks at the occasion, Syed Tariq Fatemi recalled his long association with late Sahabzada Yaqub Khan and paid tribute to the former foreign minister for his remarkable services to the country.
He highlighted the important role played by Sahabzada Sahab in shaping and guiding Pakistan's national security and foreign policy and his contribution in achieving Pakistan's major foreign policy objectives. The meeting ended with Fateha for the deported soul of the late Sahabzada Yaqub Khan. Sahabzada Yaqub Khan was Pakistan's Foreign Minister for the longest duration. He had the unique honour of holding this important portfolio thrice, from 1982-1987, 1988-1991 and 1996-1997. He also served as the ambassador of Pakistan to France, the US and former Soviet Union.