Aziz Ahmed

Early life and education

Aziz Ahmed was born in a Sheikh Qureshi family of Tarn Taran district of Amritsar, British India on 24 June 1906.

Subsequently, he was sent as Pakistan's Ambassador to the United States in 1959 and was instrumental in developing the strong ties between the two countries, that characterised both the Eisenhower and the Kennedy administrations of the early sixties. Throughout this war, Ahmed assisted Bhutto on numerous occasions thereby gaining Bhutto's confidence. From there onwards Bhutto and Aziz Ahmed became good friends. During this war, Morrice James, a senior British diplomat and British High Commissioner to Pakistan from 1962 to 1965, convinced Ayub Khan to accept the cease-fire appeal from India, on the basis that Pakistan may not be able fight without weapons or sustain a long war. At the UNSC, Aziz joined Bhutto, when the latter famously announced that, "Pakistan will fight, fight for a thousand years", in reference to the war of 1971". Aziz Ahmed assisted in negotiating the Simla Agreement between Pakistan and India in 1972 and in organising the Islamic Summit at Lahore in 1974, where he headed Pakistan's delegation. As Minister of Defence, he played a key role in re-building Pakistan's defence capability after the 1971 war with India, as well as, the development of the Country's nuclear programme. Aziz convinced Richard Nixon to ensure the supply of weapons to Pakistan to counter Indian hegemony and weapons build-up. When pressed on the repatriation of Stranded Pakistanis, Aziz Ahmed told the Bangladesh foreign minister Kamal Hossain to send them to India. When the Bangladeshis told him that pushing the Biharis into India was not feasible, Ahmed said "then push them into the Bay of Bengal".

Aziz Ahmed continued to work with Bhutto in building ties with China, and the Arab world. He also helped Bhutto to negotiate with the Soviet Union for economical assistance. His term as Foreign Minister was cut short in 1977.

Aziz Ahmed remained a staunch opponent of martial law and the military government of General Zia-ul-Haq.

Death and legacy

Aziz Ahmed died on 23 October 1982, aged 76 and was buried in Islamabad. He was a recipient of Pakistan's highest civil award, HPk. He was survived by his wife Shereen Ahmed, two sons and two daughters.