Thousands throng Liaqat-Bagh to attend JKLF co-founder's funeral
Will be laid to eternal rest at Gilgit today
GK Photo
Thousands of mourners including JKLF activists and leaders of various political and religious parties hailing from both sides of the line of control gathered at historic LiyaqatBagh in Rawalpindi here to attend the funeral prayers of JKLF founder Ammanullah Khan who breathed his last on Wednesday.
Besides Pakistan's former information minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed, the funeral prayers were attended by leaders of prominent political parties of Pakistani administered Kashmir, Hurriyat leaders and members of civil society including Sardar Muhammad Yaqoob Khan the president of PaK, President of Muslim Conference SardarAttique Ahmed Khan, Shah GhulamQadir of Pakistan Muslim League (N) Kashmir chapter, president of Liberation League Justice (r) Majeed Malik, JI chief Abdul Rasheed Turabi, UJC chief Syed Sallahudin, APHC leaders Ghulam Muhammad Safi, Mehmood Ahmed Saghar, Muhammad Farooq Rehmani, Mir Tahir Masood, GhulamNabiNowsheri and others.
The funeral prayers were led by JKLF senior stalwart Hafiz Muhammad Anwar Samawi.
After concluding the funeral prayers the Khan loyalists gathered round the coffin to catch the last glimpses of their beloved leader who devoted his entire life for the cause of Kashmir.
Earlier, some moving scenes were witnessed when Ambulance carrying flag draped coffin of the deceased leader entered into the premises of LiaqatBagh. Mourning Khan's departure JKLF activists were seen with tears in their eyes, showering the coffin with rose petals. As a mark of respect for their leader JKLF leaders laid garlands and floral wreaths on his coffin. The highly emotional and enthusiastic activists of JKLF and Student Liberation Front chanted slogans "Amanterayjannisar bay shumar bay shumanr", "Hum kiachahtayAzadi, hay haqhamaraazadi". They pledged to carry forward the mission of their great leader.
Speaking briefly on the occasion, former federal minister and Pakistani parliamentarian Sheik Rashid Ahmed said that the JKLF founder was a great man who did not compromise his ideals. "Khan Sahib was a man of principle and indeed a brave man who remained stick to his ideology", he said.
The president of Pakistani administered Kashmir Sardar Muhammad Yaqoob Khan while paying homage to deceased leader said that the demise of the JKLF founder was a great loss for the people on both sides of the line of control. "Amman Sahib devoted his entire life for the cause of Kashmir", he said adding that being a strong proponent of independent Kashmir ideology Khan Sahib worked painstakingly for the reunification and territorial identity and integrity of the state of Jammu and Kashmir.
JI chief Abdul Rasheed Turabi while appreciating Khan's heroic struggle said that he was committed leader who contributed to the cause till his last breath. "Despite ups and downs he continued his struggle with great perseverance", he said.
UJC chief Syed Sallahudin while terming Khan's demise as a national loss said that Khan's commitment to the cause of Kashmir was unwavering. "He was a popular leader of Kashmir, his death has left a great void".
President of Muslim Conference SardarAttique Ahmed Khan, PML-N general secretary Shah GulamQadir, Abdul Rasheed Turabi, Justice Majeed Malik, Ghulam Muhammad Safi, Mir Tahir Masood also spoke on the occasion. Highlighting the JKLF supreme head's heroic struggle the said that he would be remembered for long time in annals of Kashmir history.
Senior vice president of JKLF Abdul Hameed Bhat while mourning the demise of his leader said, "Today, we have lost our beloved leader, at this very moment of profound grief and sorrow I as a senior vice president of JKLF appeal all dissents to join the fold", he said adding that for the larger interests of the movement JKLF would welcome and embarrass everyone wholeheartedly.
Pertinently, JKLF activists working abroad including ChudharyTanveer president JKLF EU Zone, Tariq Sharif member diplomatic bureau London, Malik Mushataq from Italy, Raja Haneef president JKLF Middle East Zone and Aftab Ahmed from Lutton traveled right away from France, Saudi Arabia, London and other EU countries to attend the funeral prayers of the supreme leader.
JKLF spokesman Rafique Ahmed Dar on the occasion denounced in strong terms the Indian authorities crackdown on JKLF leaders.
He said that Indian authorities' bid to stop JKLF leaders from holding Nimaz-e-Jinaza in Srinagar was a serious violation and an interference into the religious affairs of Kashmiri people.
Meanwhile, the Ambulance carrying the coffin of JKLF supreme head is on its way to GilgitBaltistan, where he as per his last wish would be laid to eternal rest at a grave yard near Eid-Gah situated in the main city tomorrow (Thursday). One of the JKLF leaders confided to this correspondent that JKLF founder wished that he should be buried in Gilgit. "Amman Sahib burial in Gilgit would further strengthen the bond between all the regions of the divided state", he said adding that this is what he wished for.
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