Chicago – February 25, 2026
A man who witnessed the making and breaking of history, Roedad Khan was a quintessential product of Aligarh Muslim University (AMU). He often credited his time at Aligarh in the 1940s for shaping his steely resolve and his deep understanding of statecraft.
From serving under five Presidents to three Prime Ministers, he remained the ultimate “insider” of the establishment, always carrying the poise and discipline he learned at AMU.
The Aligarh Influence
He attended AMU during the golden era of the 1940s, a period of intense political awakening. Throughout his long life, he remained a vocal advocate for the “Aligarh Spirit,” often reminiscing about how the university taught him to look power in the eye.
Quick Statistics & Facts:
- Lived to the incredible age of 100, passing away in April 2024.
- He held the most powerful positions in the civil service, including Secretary General of the Ministry of Interior.
- Served under Presidents Ayub Khan, Yahya Khan, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, Zia-ul-Haq, and Ghulam Ishaq Khan.
- Penned the critically acclaimed book “Pakistan: A Dream Gone Sour”, providing a raw, firsthand look at the country’s political evolution.
- One of the longest-serving top-tier bureaucrats in Pakistan’s history, spanning several decades of core decision-making.
A Century of History
Roedad Khan wasn’t just a witness to history; he was often the one holding the pen. He represented a generation of Aligarh graduates who transitioned from British India to build the administrative foundations of a new nation.
