Riaz Khokhar Explained

Riaz Hussain Khokhar
Birth Date:31 December 1942
Office1:Foreign Secretary of Pakistan
Term Start1:June 2002
Term End1:February 2005
Predecessor1:Inam-ul-Haq
Successor1:Riaz Mohammad Khan
Office2:Pakistan ambassador to China
Term Start2:1999
Term End2:2002
Office3:Pakistan ambassador to the United States
Term Start3:1997
Term End3:1999
Office4:Pakistan ambassador to India
Term Start4:1992
Term End4:1997

Riaz Hussain Khokhar (Urdu: ریاض کھو کھر; 31 December 1942 – 26 December 2023) was a Pakistani diplomat who served as the Foreign Secretary of Pakistan from June 2002 to February 2005. Khokhar also served as Pakistan's ambassador to India (1992–1997), the United States (1997–1999, and the People's Republic of China (1999–2002), before taking on the top post of the foreign ministry as Foreign Secretary of Pakistan.[1]

Life and career

Riaz Hussain Khokhar was born on 31 December 1942.[2] He joined the Foreign Service of Pakistan on 10 October 1966.[2] In September 2003, Riaz Khokhar briefed a group of Kashmiri leaders on the upcoming India-Pakistan talks before he left for New Delhi for talks with India.[3]

In 2004, former president of Pakistan-controlled Kashmir, Sardar Muhammad Abdul Qayyum Khan reportedly said, "The Kashmiri leadership supported the composite dialogue between the two countries but noted that the talks should not be held at the expense of Kashmir."[1]

Again in 2004, All Parties Hurriyat Conference of Kashmir also expressed their support to the ongoing dialogue between India and Pakistan. They reportedly said that the talks should continue until the Kashmir dispute is resolved.[1]

On 29 June 2004, Pakistani Foreign Secretary, Riaz Khokhar stated, "In my judgement I found and saw that the Indian side was serious and committed and determined to move forward on the composite dialogue."[4]

Khokhar died on 26 December 2023, at the age of 80.[5]

External links

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Notes and References

  1. Web site: Kashmiris' opinion key to Kashmir settlement: Riaz Khokhar. 1 October 2004. https://web.archive.org/web/20041001053355/http://in.news.yahoo.com:80/040901/139/2ft1r.html. Yahoo India News website. 16 September 2004. 28 October 2022. dead.
  2. https://books.google.com/books?id=jpyLAAAAMAAJ&q=Riaz+Khokhar+31st+December,+1942 Profile of Riaz Hussain Khokhar on Google Books website (page 404)
  3. Web site: Pakistan not to renege on commitment to Kashmiri people: Riaz Khokhar. https://web.archive.org/web/20041011055301/http://www.pakistanlink.com:80/headlines/June04/25/04.html. Pakistan Link (US newspaper). September 2003. 28 October 2022. dead. 11 October 2004.
  4. Web site: India determined to continue dialogue process, says Riaz Khokhar. https://web.archive.org/web/20040922212005/http://www.webindia123.com:80/news/showdetails.asp?id=41815&cat=Asia . WEBINDIA123.COM website. 29 June 2004. 28 October 2022. 22 September 2004. dead.
  5. News: Former diplomat Riaz Khokhar passes away . 26 December 2023 . Associated Press of Pakistan . 26 December 2023.