Former MLA Muhammad Shafi Khan and senior leader of Awami Action Committee passed away at SKIMS Soura after brief spell of illness.
A large number of people from different walks of life participated in his Nimaz-e-Jinaza. He was laid to rest at his ancestral graveyard at Nawab Bazar here.
Jammu and Kashmir Awami Action Committee’s (AAC) paid rich tributes to Khan. “He was senior leader and lifelong associate of Shaheed e MillatMirwaizMolviFarooq,” AAC said in a statement.
The statement said an emergency condolence meeting was held today by AAC paying rich tributes to the departed senior leader for his extraordinary, lifelong and selfless contribution to the party and its ideals.
The meeting described the demise of Muhammad Shafi Khan as an irreparable loss for the organisation, and the people’s movement saying that his contribution to it is unforgettable.
“AAC chairman Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir Dr Umar Farooq, who could not participate in the Nimaz-e-Jinazah of the deceased due to his continued house arrest of the last 21 months, or take part in the condolence meeting , expressed deep grief over the demise of ShafiSahab and paid glowing tributes to him calling his death it a great personal loss to him,” the statement said.
The statement quoted the Mirwaiz as saying that the role and contribution of Muhammad Shafi Khan to Awami Action Committee since its inception and to its leadership especially to Shaheed-e-Millat first as a young party activist , and then as senior party leader under his chairmanship, till his last breath has been exemplary. “He is a guiding light for party workers to emulate. His demise is a huge loss for the organisation,” Mirwaiz said.
“Muhammad Shafi Khan was a great philanthropist and social activist too. He was closely associated with DarulKhair and its social and pro poor initiatives. Late ShafiSahab also would actively contribute towards the betterment of the AnjumanNusrat-ul-Islam and AnjumanAuqafJamia Masjid. Being a leading businessman, Muhammad Shafi Khan was also a member of Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industries (KCC&I). For his whole life, he worked for people’s welfare under the umbrella of the Awami Action Committee,” it said.
It said besides locals, the Namaaz-e-Janaazah of Muhammad Shafi Khan, led by Imam Jamia Masjid Srinagar Mufti GhulamRasoolSamoon, was attended by the AAC central leadership and all halqa presidents of district Srinagar.
Meanwhile, the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference President and Member of Parliament from Srinagar DrFarooq Abdullah, and Vice President Omar Abdullah on Wednesday expressed profound grief over the demise of Muhammad Shafi Khan.
Party President and Vice President prayed for peace to the deceased and fortitude to bereaved family to bear the inconsolable loss. The duo expressed unison with the grief-stricken family in their hour of grief. Among others NC MPs HasnainMasoodi, Muhammad Akbar Lone, General Secretary Haji Ali Muhammad Sagar; Additional General Secretary Dr. Sheikh Mustufa Kamal, Provincial President NasirAslamWani Senior leaders Muhammad Shafi Uri, Abdul Rahim Rather, Choudhary Muhammad Ramzan, Mubarak Gul, SahameemaFirdous, Irfan Shah, Peer Afaq Ahmed, and Mir GM Saqi have also condoled the passing away of Muhammad Shafi Khan Sahib, prayed for peace to soul and much needed strength to the bereaved family to bear the irreparable loss.
Patron JamaitHamdaniMoulaniRiyaz Ahmad Hamdani and spokesperson Mir GM Saqi also condoled his demise and hailed his contribution towards the society. Patron AnjumaneUlemaAhnafMoulanaPeerzadaAsgarHussain also condoled his demise
President Shaher-e-Khaas Traders Coordination Committee Nazir Ahmad Shah condoled Khan’s demise and expressed sympathies with his family especially his brother GhulamMohiuddin Khan and close relatives MuzaffarGani and Omar Gani.