*ISLAMABAD: Seasoned Pakistani diplomat Jamsheed Marker, who also holds therecord of longest-serving ambassador in the world, passed away in Karachion Thursday. He was 95.*
Marker still holds of the honour of having been “ambassador to morecountries than any other person for over 30 years.”
Marker, served for three decades in various important embassies ofPakistan, but reached the most successful phase of his career with hisback-to-back appointments as Pakistani Ambassador to Bonn, Paris andWashington DC during the tenure of Gen Zia (1977-1988).
He was awarded with Sitara-i-Quaid-e-Azam and Hilal-e-Imtiaz for his longstanding and dignified standing as a diplomat. His memoirs in the book‘Quiet Diplomacy’ tells the whole story.
Marker was also passionate about cricket before he entered the diplomaticcareer. He had become a household name along with Omar Kureishi when Indiavisited Pakistan on their first tour to this country in 1954-55. He was aradio commentator for the sport.
He kept his interest in the game afresh even when he roamed the world asPakistan’s ambassador and high commissioner in more countries.