Passing away of an icon

One of Pakistan's most distinguished diplomats, who rose to become the country's foreign secretary and after retirement also served as its foreign minister for some time. Agha Shahi passed away in Islamabad after a protracted illness. He entered the coveted Indian Civil Service (ICS), aptly described as the 'Steel Frame' of India, through which the colonial masters ruled the subcontinent, and opted for the Sindh Cadre.
Soon after independence he was posted as Deputy Commissioner of Thatta. He administered the district with such devotion and judiciousness that when the late military ruler, General Ziaul Haq while on a tour of Thatta asked an old lady as to what he could do for her, she is reported to have said, "Send Agha Shahi back to Thatta as Deputy Commissioner". At this the general naturally laughed and informed her that Shahi was at that time the country's foreign minister.
There can be no greater testament to the ability, devotion to duty and integrity of a civil servant than this innocent request of an old rustic woman.
In 1951, Shahi moved to the foreign office as during those earlier days after independence, ICS officers also served in the foreign ministry. He played a sterling role in the formulation and execution of Pakistan's foreign policy when the policy was elaborately conceived at the foreign office.
Later he served as ambassador to the important capitals of the world and as permanent representative to the United Nations with great distinction. At the UN, Shahi was a much sought after man, having made a mark in the drafting of complex resolutions. Acknowledged for his consummate negotiating skills, he was co-opted on almost every committee that was constituted at the world body during that period. He was truly an icon of the Pakistan Foreign Service.
Shahi was a man of strong convictions. When he developed differences with General Ziaul Haq over the conduct of Pakistan-US relations and the Afghan policy in the aftermath of the Soviet occupation, as Shahi resolutely advocated a firm 'handshake' with the US rather than an 'embrace' that Zia favoured, he stepped down quietly.
He remained active after retirement, though, and participated in many international conferences and seminars where his views were not only keenly sought but also highly valued.