A former diplomat who had been actively involved in track-2 diplomacy between Pakistan and India, Niaz A Naek, was found dead at his residence here on Saturday. The body was said to be three to four days old. Naek was about 80 years old, and had been living alone in that house for a long time.
The body was found after Foreign Office officials asked the Kohsar police to check the former diplomat's house situated in F-7/3 area, as there had been no reply from the house for some time.
NNI adds: Unidentified men have tortured to death Foreign Secretary at his residence in Islamabad, police and doctors said on Saturday. A medical report said that Naik, who was unmarried, was hit by a sharp and heavy instrument. There were signs of torture at his neck and his ribs were broken, the report said. The police said that Naik was killed three or four day ago and they are investigating motives behind the murder.
"A police party was sent to the house. The police personnel knocked the doors, but there was no reply or sign of life inside the house," said the police when contacted by this scribe. "Police broke open a windowpane and were confronted with very foul smell, which suggests that the body was three to four days old," the police spokesman said.
The body had been shifted to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences for an autopsy, he said. He further said everything was in its proper position in the house along with his personal car and there were no signs of any robbery. However, after an autopsy something could be said on his mysterious death, he added. The police had sealed the house for investigation.
The former diplomat had been involved in track-2 diplomacy between Pakistan and India. He was known as a seasoned diplomat of his time. Born on May 31, 1926, former Foreign Secretary Niaz A. Naek had obtained a Master's Degree from Punjab University.
He joined the Foreign Services in September, 1949 and served on various diplomatic assignments at Pakistan Missions abroad including Sydney (1951-1955), Parepun New York (1955-1959), Rangoon (Yangon) 1960-1963, Bad Godesberg (Bonn) 1963-1965, Parepun Geneva (1965-1967). Niaz Naek served as Ambassador of Pakistan to Parepun Geneva (1971-1974), Parepun New York (1978-1982), Parep France (on contract) 1986-1990. He also served as Permanent Representative of Pakistan to UNESCO, Paris (1986-1990). He served at Headquarters: Director General (UN) 1967-1970, Additional Secretary (1974-1978). Niaz A Naek remained as Foreign Secretary of Pakistan (1982- 1986).