Dr Qureshi passes away

Funeral Prayers In Absentia Will Be Held On Friday At Nowhatta: Hashim Qureshi

NISAR AHMED THOKAR

Rawalpindi, Feb 2: Renowned Kashmiri scholar Professor Dr. Muhammad Ashraf Qureshi passed away in Rawalpindi on Thursday after a protracted illness. He was 60. He was laid to rest at a graveyard in lake view city of Mirpur in Pakistan administered Kashmir (PaK).
Born in Srinagar, Dr Qureshi was presently Chairman, Department of Kashmir Studies, University of Punjab, Lahore. Dr Qureshi is the cousin of Hashim Qureshi and the two hijacked an Indian Airlines plane (Ganga) on 30th January 1971. After landing at Lahore Airport, Qureshi brothers were arrested and later tried in the court of law. The court later acquitted Dr Qureshi and termed him as a great patriot.
Talking to Greater Kashmir, Professor Nusrat Nisar, who teaches in Punjab University, said that Qureshi was suffering from Parkinson’s disease for last several years. Referring to his political struggle, she said that Qureshi was a committed Kashmiri who worked painstakingly for Kashmiris’ cause of right to self-determination. “He went through torments and tribulations and remained behind the bars for more than three years,” Nusrat said adding that his two brothers, Altaf Qureshi and Tabassum Qureshi, were killed by armed forces in Kashmir.
After the death of his two brothers, Nusrat said that Dr. Qureshi’s health declined sharply. “Qureshi was in fact a great patriot and it speaks volumes about his love for his homeland that he wished to be buried somewhere in Kashmir. She said that according to his desire, it was finally decided that he would be buried in Mirpore.
After receiving his early education from his hometown of Srinagar, Dr. Qureshi completed bachelor’s degree from University of Punjab. He acquired M.Sc degree in Geology, M A Kashmiriyat and Ph. D Kashmiriyat from the same University. He was also a Gold Medalist in Certificate of Kashmiri Language and had a Diploma of Kashmiri Language from the Punjab University Lahore.
Qureshi had suffered terribly during his early years in Pakistan, his political background was the biggest hurdle in getting a job, however in 1987 he finally succeeded in getting one at Punjab University. He was elevated to the chairmanship of the Department of Kashmir Studies some four years back.
Qureshi was settled in Lahore now but due to his illness he was recently shifted to Rawalpindi where he was staying with his close relatives. His funeral prayers were held at Poonch House in Sadr locality this afternoon, which was attended by Kashmiri community hailing from both sides of the line of control including PaK President Sardar Muhammad Yaqoob Khan, Muhammad Farooq Rehmani, Rafique Ahmed Dar and many Hurriyat leaders.
APHC convener Mehmood Ahmed Saghar visited the residence of Dr. Qureshi and expressed condolences to the bereaved family.
JKDLP Chairman Hashim Qureshi has expressed deep sorrow and grief on the demise. In a statement, Hashim said Ashraf Qureshi was one of the close associates and students of Maqbool Bhat and has given immense sacrifices for Kashmir cause, which included long jail-terms, torture and exile from his beloved motherland for over 40 years.
JKDLP chairman described the demise as a personal loss. He spoke with Dr Ashraf’s wife and her daughters and expressed his condolences and wished them strength and patience. Hashim Qureshi has requested the people of Kashmir to pray for the departed soul. A funeral prayer in absentia will be held on Friday in Nowhatta Srinagar, he said.