Riaz Khokhar

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]

Riaz Hussain Khokhar
Khokhar in 2004
Foreign Secretary of Pakistan
In office June 2002 – February 2005
Preceded by	Inam-ul-Haq
Succeeded by	Riaz Mohammad Khan
Pakistan ambassador to China
In office 1999–2002
Pakistan ambassador to the United States
In office 1997–1999
Pakistan ambassador to India
In office 1992–1997
Personal details
Born	(1942-12-31)31 December 1942
Died	26 December 2023(2023-12-26) (aged 80)

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]

References

1. "Kashmiris' opinion key to Kashmir settlement: Riaz Khokhar". Yahoo India News website. 16 September 2004. Archived from the original on 1 October 2004. Retrieved 28 October 2022.
2. Profile of Riaz Hussain Khokhar on Google Books website (page 404) Retrieved 28 October 2022
3. "Pakistan not to renege on commitment to Kashmiri people: Riaz Khokhar". Pakistan Link (US newspaper). September 2003. Archived from the original on 11 October 2004. Retrieved 28 October 2022.
4. "India determined to continue dialogue process, says Riaz Khokhar". WEBINDIA123.COM website. 29 June 2004. Archived from the original on 22 September 2004. Retrieved 28 October 2022.
5. "Former diplomat Riaz Khokhar passes away". Associated Press of Pakistan. 26 December 2023. Retrieved 26 December 2023.

External links

• News related to Riaz Khokhar
• Jim Lehrer's of US Public Broadcasting Services interview with Riaz Khokhar

Diplomatic posts
Preceded by Abdul Sattar	Pakistan High Commissioner to India 1992–1997	Succeeded by Ashraf Qazi
Preceded by Maliha Lodhi	Pakistan Ambassador to the United States 1997–1999	Succeeded by Tariq Fatemi
Preceded by Inam-ul-Haq	Pakistan Ambassador to China 1999–2002	Succeeded by Riaz Mohammad Khan
	Foreign Secretary of Pakistan 2002–2005