ISLAMABAD: Sultan Qaboos of Oman, who had successfully defended the sultanate from vicissitudes, had breathed his last yesterday (Friday 10th of January, 2020) at the age of 79 after protracted illness.
The longest reigning ruler in the modern Arab world, Qaboos had managed to transform his country into a modern state. The earlier Oman was sans electricity or running water and the gates of Muscat were locked at dusk.
He was born on 18th of November, 1940 in Al-Said Dynasty. He attended Sandhurst Royal Military Academy from where he graduated in 1962. Later he joined British infantry battalion in Germany. On 23rd of July 1970 he deposed his father in a palace coup and became the Sultan and maintained good ties with both Tehran and Riyadh.
It is pertinent to mention here that Muscat had served as the back channel for US-Iran talks leading up to a landmark 2015 nuclear deal. Nevertheless, he stuck to his principle of non-interference. Muscat also maintained close military and economic ties with UK and USA.
Qaboos channeled revenues from oil exports into infrastructure, taking the country from having just a handful of primary schools and eight kilometres of paved roads to a modern state with 1,000 schools and an enormous highway network. Being a performing art aficionado he commissioned an opera house for Muscat. He formed a Majlis-e-Shoora to complement the State Council. Sultan Qaboos was suffering from colon cancer in his final years.
President of Pakistan Dr Arif Alvi taking to the Twitter held: “Our heart-felt condolences to our friends in Oman on the demise of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos.” Alvi further stated that services of late Sultan Qaboos to the Omani nation and for the world peace would always be remembered: “A true brother, he ensured Oman-Pakistan friendship. May Allah grant him the highest place in Jannah, Ameen!”
Prime Minister Imran Khan also took to the Twitter to hold:
“I extend our deepest condolences to people of Oman on the passing of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said al Said. He was a visionary & transformed Oman into a vibrant, modern state.Oman has lost a beloved leader & Pakistan a close, trusted friend.May his soul rest in eternal peace.”
Oman has named Haitham bin Tariq al-Said as the country’s new ruler after the death of his cousin Sultan Qaboos bin Said.
Newspakistan.tv
