Ambassador Yusuf Buch, a former Pakistani cabinet minister and a distinguished diplomat and intellectual of Kashmiri origin, passed away in New York on Friday evening after protracted illness at age 97, marking end of an illustrious career dedicated to emancipation of his oppressed Kashmiri nation.
His body would be flown to Muzaffarabad to be buried here inaccordance with his will.
Born in Srinagar in 1922 at a time when Kashmir was ruled byDogras under the suzerainty and protection of British colonial power, Buch wasan observer and a direct participant of Kashmiris’ struggle in 1931.
After completing his education from Islamia High School andSP College Srinagar, he reportedly topped the competitive Kashmir CivilServices examination to win a place in the revenue department as Tehsildar.
In 1949, Buch was exiled by the government of SheikhMuhammad Abdullah along with some other promising and brilliant youth toPakistan for their political beliefs.
In 1953, Buch went to the United States as a winner of anInternational Essay Contest sponsored by the United Nations.
Later, he worked as a correspondent at the United Nations.He also ran a Free Kashmir Centre in New York from 1957 to 1972.
In 1972, the eagle eyed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto picked him ashis special assistant with the rank and status of a federal minister. He heldthis position until his appointment as Pakistan’s ambassador to Switzerland in1977.
Because of the years of close acquaintance with the WorldBody, Buch secured an appointment in the cabinet of the UN Secretary General asDirector of a Special Advisory Group from 1978 to 1991.
Regarded as an encyclopaedia on Kashmir and a living legend,he had written extensively on the issues of South Asia and Kashmir.
His death was widely mourned.
Interestingly, Buch had led a single life for most of hislife. Reportedly, he had married anAmerican lady, Amie, but the relationship could not last beyond three years.Sources said, Buch would be laid to rest with full state honour at the compoundof the mausoleums of Mirwaiz Yousaf Shah in the main old city of Muzaffarabad.
MIRWAIZ CONDOLES DEMISE
Meanwhile, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq today condoled the demise ofAmbassador Buch.
“Grieved to hear about the death of Ambassador Yousuf Buchin US, a legend and a living encyclopaedia on #Kashmir who dedicated his lifeto the Kashmir cause. He was a close aide of Mirwaiz Yousuf Shah inMuzzafarabad who later served as advisor to UN Sec Gen for 18 years. Prayingfor the magfirah of this illustrious son of Kashmir,” tweeted Mirwaiz UmarFarooq.