Bureau Report
Bhimber. Former President of Azad Jammu and Kashmir Raja Zulqarnain Khan was laid to rest with full state honours in his native village of Kasguma. The funeral prayer was attended by the President of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, former presidents and prime ministers, senior civil and military officials, political leaders and a large number of people from different walks of life.
Raja Zulqarnain Khan passed away the previous day after a prolonged illness. Following his funeral prayer in Kasguma, he was laid to rest in the presence of thousands of mourners. Police presented a guard of honour in recognition of his services, while a one-day official mourning was observed across Azad Jammu and Kashmir, with the national flag flown at half-mast.
Addressing the funeral gathering, President of Azad Jammu and Kashmir Dr Muhammad Najeeb Khan, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Justice Raja Saeed Akram Khan, Speaker Legislative Assembly Chaudhry Tariq Farooq, former Prime Ministers Sardar Attique Ahmed Khan, Raja Muhammad Farooq Haider Khan, Sardar Abdul Qayyum Niazi, Sardar Tanveer Ilyas and Chaudhry Anwar-ul-Haq, former MNA Chaudhry Abid Raza Kotla, Member Kashmir Council Chaudhry Muhammad Saeed, Lieutenant General (Retd) Sher Afzal Khan, Abdul Rashid Turabi and other speakers paid rich tribute to the late leader.
The speakers highlighted Raja Zulqarnain Khan’s five-decade-long political career, describing him as a seasoned statesman known for his grace, political maturity, foresight and commitment to public service. They also acknowledged his valuable contributions to the political and democratic development of Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
Among those attending the funeral were President Dr Muhammad Najeeb Khan, Chief Justice Justice Raja Saeed Akram Khan, Senior Judge Supreme Court Justice Raza Ali Khan, Speaker Chaudhry Tariq Farooq, former President Sardar Yaqoob Ahmed Khan, former Prime Ministers Sardar Attique Ahmed Khan and Raja Farooq Haider Khan, General (Retd) Ikram-ul-Haq, Lieutenant General (Retd) Sher Afzal Khan, and several senior civil and military officials, political and social leaders, local notables and members of the public.
Special prayers were offered for the departed soul. Participants expressed heartfelt condolences to the deceased’s son, Raja Babar Ali Zulqarnain, and other members of the bereaved family, describing his death as a significant loss for the state and its people. They prayed to Almighty Allah to grant the departed soul a place in eternal peace and give strength and patience to the bereaved family.
The district administration, police and other relevant departments had made comprehensive security and traffic management arrangements to facilitate the large number of mourners attending the funeral.
The Azad Jammu and Kashmir government declared a one-day official mourning across the state following the demise of the former President. Various political, social and public circles also expressed deep sorrow and grief over his passing.
