RIAZ PASHA (c. 1835-1911), Egyptian statesman, born about 1835, was of a Circassian family, but said to be of Hebrew extraction. Ismail Pasha discovered him, and made him one of his ministers, to find, to his chagrin, that Riaz was possessed of a remarkable independence of character. When Ismail's financial straits compelled him to agree to a commission of inquiry Riaz was vice-president of the commission. He filled this office with distinction, but not to the liking of Ismail. The khedive, how ever, felt compelled to nominate Riaz minister of the interior in the first Egyptian cabinet (Sept. 1878–April 1879). When Ismail dismissed the cabinet and attempted to resume autocratic rule, Riaz fled the country. Upon the deposition of Ismail, June 1879, Riaz was sent for by the British and French controllers, and he formed the first ministry under the khedive Tewfik. His administration was overthrown by the agitation which had for figure-head Arabi Pasha (q.v.). On the evening of the 9th of, September 1881, after the military demonstration in Abdin Square, Riaz was dismissed; broken in health he went to Europe, remain ing at Geneva until the fall of Arabi. After that event Riaz accepted office as minister of the interior under Sherif Pasha.
Had Riaz had his way Arabi and his associates would have been executed forthwith, and when the British insisted that clemency should be extended to the leaders of the revolt Riaz resigned (Dec. 1882). He took no further part in public affairs until 1888, when, on the dismissal of Nubar Pasha (q.v.), he was summoned to form a government. He worked in harmony with the British agent (Sir Evelyn Baring—afterwards Lord Cromer) until May 1891. In the February following he again became prime minister under Abbas II., being selected as comparatively accept able both to the khedivial and British parties. In April 1894 Riaz finally resigned office on account of ill-health. Superior, probably, both intellectually and morally to his great rival Nubar, he lacked the latter's broad statesmanship as well as his pliability. Riaz's standpoint was that of the benevolent autocrat; he believed that the Egyptians were not fitted for self-government and must be treated like children, protected from ill-treatment by others and prevented from injuring themselves. In 1889 he was made an honorary G.C.M.G. Riaz died on June 18, 1911.