LAHORE: For­m­­er fo­­reign minister and senior PML-N leader Sartaj Aziz passed away on Tu­esday at the age of 95.

His funeral will be held at 2:30pm today and he will be laid to rest at the H-8 graveyard in Islamabad.

President Arif Alvi, caretaker PM Anwaarul Haq Kakar, Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jillani and Information Minister Murtaza Solangi expressed their condolences on his demise, as the PML-N confirmed the news.

Ahmed Bilal Mehboob of Pildat on his X handle wrote, “One of the ablest, most hardworking & upright Pakistani, Mr Sartaj Aziz, passed away.” He said it was an honour to work with him on some key Pildat initiatives.

Born in 1929, Sartaj Aziz received his education at Islamia College, Lahore, and Punjab University. During his student life, he actively participated in the Pakistan movement and remained active in the electoral campaign of All India Muslim League in 1946.

After the creation of Pakistan, Mr Aziz joined the civil service in 1950 and pursued higher education at Harvard University. He served as the joint secretary of the Planning Commission and also worked with the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organisation.

In 1985, Mr Aziz was elected as a senator, and during the Zia era, he assumed the position of minister for state. He served as finance minister during the 1990s cabinet of then prime minister Nawaz Sharif. Later, he held the positions of adviser for foreign affairs and national security.

Published in Dawn, January 3rd, 2024