KARACHI, Oct 24: Muzafar Husain, former federal secretary, passed away peacefully in his sleep in Karachi. He was 83.

Born on March 6, 1923, in Sukkur, he was educated at the Karachi Grammar School and Government College, Lahore. He was selected for the Civil Service in 1946 after having served in the Royal Indian Navy during World War II. He served in top administrative posts including collector and district magistrate of Karachi when it was the federal capital.

In 1966, he became a federal secretary at the age of 43, and served at this rank till his retirement in 1983. He served the government of Pakistan as secretary planning, National Assembly, railways, rural development and local government. The most challenging and arduous appointment of his illustrious career was as the last chief secretary of the former East Pakistan. He leaves behind his wife Naiyer, a member of the civil service, sons Imran and Fahhd, daughter Sumayra Ayazuddin, and grandchildren Samir, Samar, Aziz, Amin and Laila.