Transitions: Former ambassador to Tanzania passes away at the age of 94

He leaves behind three sons and a daughter.

KARACHI: A former ambassador to Tanzania, Major General (retd) M Nasrullah Khan, passed away in Karachi on Tuesday at the age of 94. He was from the 4/16 Punjab Regiment.

Khan was born on September 15, 1919 in Madras, India. He was commissioned from Indian Military Academy Dehradun in 1945 and joined 4/16 Punjab Regiment, part of the 8th Indian army division during the battle of Casino, Italy, during World War II in 1945. He commanded the second East Bengal regiment in 1960 to 1962 in Jessor, East Pakistan, and the infantry brigades in Muzaffarabad and Kharian Cantt.

Khan was also the chief instructor at the Quetta staff college between 1969 and 1970. He was promoted to Major General and commanded 15 Division Sialkot between 1970 and 1971. He was posted in the GHQ as Military Secretary from 1971 to 1975. He retired in 1975, and was Pakistan’s ambassador to Tanzania, Zambia and Madagascar from 1975 to 1979. Khan is remembered as a down-to-earth officer, who followed a strict code of conduct in service matters.

He was a strict disciplinarian, and was known for his stature and strong will. He was also an avid hockey and tennis player.

According his son, Brig. Naveed, he groomed his children to do what was right and never broke rules, and was highly respected by his colleagues and friends.

The former ambassador was buried on Tuesday at the New Army Graveyard in Karachi and is survived by three sons and a daughter.

The soyem will be held on Thursday, August 23 between Asr and Maghrib at his residence, 10/1, 9th Zamzama street, Phase V, DHA.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 23^rd, 2012.