Islamabad: Pakistan’s distinguished diplomat Jamsheed Marker, who served as country’s top envoy to the United States, United Nations and number of countries for over three decades, passed away on Thursday in Karachi at the age of 95.

Jamsheed Marker earned the distinction of “world’s longest serving ambassador” for serving as diplomat for at least 30 years in ten different capitals of the world.

Beginning his diplomatic assignments in 1965 when he was appointed Pakistan’s ambassador to Ghana, he has been county’s ambassador in more countries than any other diplomat and has served in United States, Canada, France, Germany, Romania, Japan, as well as in United Nations.

Marker, a prominent member of Pakistan’s Parsi community, was fluent in French, German and Russian languages. Marker was known as an outstanding negotiator who had a passion for music, culture, and cricket as he also did cricket commentary on radio.

Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Abdullah Hussain Haroon offered heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family.

“Pakistan has lost a true and noble son and a brilliant icon,” Haroon remarked.

In his condolence message, Haroon described Marker as “a distinguished diplomat and a strong proponent of Pakistan’s global outreach. His quiet diplomacy and dignified demeanour made him one of the most effective ambassadors in Pakistan’s history, and won him friends and accolades the world over.”

Paying tribute to him, the Foreign Minister recalled that “Ambassador Marker’s illustrious career, spanning some three decades of service, saw him take important stints inter alia in Tokyo, Moscow, Paris, Washington, New York and Geneva.”

Marker, he said, would always be held in high esteem not only as an outstanding professional who served the noble cause of international peace and commendably projected Pakistan’s interests, but also as “a gentle and affectionate soul who invested deeply in the well-being of those around him”, and the betterment of the country he represented.

In 2013, he was awarded Hilal-i-Imtiaz, one of the highest civilian awards by the Government of Pakistan.