KARACHI, Nov 9: Former foreign secretary Sultan Mohammad Khan died here on Monday night. He was 91.

Mr Khan was born in Jaora, India, on Feb 19, 1919. After graduating from Allahabad University, he joined the Indian army as an officer cadet and received his commission as a lieutenant in the 4th Indian Grenadiers.

He served in India and the Malays-Indonesia front during the World War II. He took his release from the British Indian army when he was a major and was selected for the political service --- the most prestigious civil service cadre of the time.

After independence, Mr Khan joined the Pakistan foreign service. He served diplomatic missions in various capacities in India, Egypt, Italy, China, Turkey and Britain.

Mr Khan remained Pakistan's ambassador in Canada, China, the United States (1972-74 and 1979-1981) and Japan.

During his tenure in China, he established close relations with prime minister Chou En-Lai and foreign minister Marshal Chen Yi. In 1971, as foreign secretary, Mr Khan had special responsibility of arranging Henry Kissinger's secret visit to China.

His wife Abeda Sultan Khan, 68, died in July this year.

Mr Khan is survived by four children — Shaheda Sultan, Nuzhat Sultan Khan, Sultan Riaz Khan and Sultan Shahid Khan.

His Namaz-i-Janaza was held at Sultan Masjid in Defence. He was laid to rest in the Army Graveyard, Chanesar Goth.