Shaharyar Khan, former PCB chairman and diplomat, passes away aged 89

Shaharyar Khan, former foreign secretary and chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB),  passed away in Lahore on Saturday after a prolonged illness.

He was 89. 

Shaharyar Khan served as Ambassador to Jordan and France, as well as High Commissioner to London.

He held the position of special representative to the UN Secretary-General overseeing peacekeeping operations in Rwanda from 1994 to 1996.

A devoted cricket enthusiast, Shaharyar Khan also served two terms as the chairman PCB, from 2003 to 2006 and then from 2014 to 2017.

Folloing this demise tributes and condolences continue to pour in.

Federal Interior Minister and PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi  exdenting condloences and remembered  Shaharyar Khan as “a fine administrator” who served Pakistan cricket with “utmost dedication.”

“Pakistan Cricket will stay indebted to the late Shaharyar Khan for his commendable role as head of the board and for his services in the growth and development of the game in the country,” Naqvi said.

Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar condoled over Khan’s death who “served Pakistan with great distinction” both as a diplomat and the PCB chairman.

“He will be greatly missed,” Dar said and prayed to Allah to grant him a higher place in Jannah and solace to his family and friends.

The Foreign Office paid tribute to the former ambassador and high commissioner and honoured his “monumental services in protecting Pakistan’s diplomatic interests”.

In a post on X, Foreign Secretary Muhammad Syrus Qazi said he was deeply saddened by Khan’s passing and lauded him as “one of Pakistan’s finest diplomats.”

Qazi said Khan left behind a “rich legacy of accomplishment and protecting and promoting Pakistan’s interests”.