Noted social activist and philanthropist Showkat Ahmad Jan of Magarmal Bagh passed away after a brief spell of illness on Sunday.
He was 69. People from different walks of life participatedin his Nimaze-e-Jinaza. Born in 1950 in Srinagar, Jan acquired his basiceducation in Srinagar. He later went to Aligarh Muslim University in late 1960sto pursue degree course in Law stream. After completion of L.L.B, he practisedin different courts but later joined his family business. He is survived by hiswife, two sons and five brothers including Dr Nisar Ahmad Jan formerCommissioner Fisheries department and acting chairman of Public ServiceCommission.
He was part of Greater Kashmir and Kashmir Uzma family. Acondolence meeting was held at GK Communications headquarters in which prayerswere held for peace to the departed soul and courage to the bereaved family tobear the irreparable loss.
His Rasm-e-Chahrum will be observed at 10 am on WednesdayJune 12 at his ancestral graveyard at Magarmal Bagh. Later a condolence meetingwill be held at his residence at Magarmal Bagh.
“Jan saheb will be greatly missed by one and all whoknew him personally for his unique sense of humor and immense care and respectfor others. He has left indelible marks with his philanthropic way of lifebesides being always available for the people in need and despair,” saidone of his close friends.
Meanwhile, former finance minister Syed Muhammad AltafBukhari expressed deep shock and grief over Jan’s demise.
In his condolence message here, Bukhari described Jan’sdemise as a huge personal loss for him and his family. “Late Jan saheb was anepitome of amity, compassion and kindness. As longtime friend and a mentor who always stood with me in my thick andthin, I personally knew Late Jan saheb very closely. He had not only carved aniche in social circles but was equally known for his humility among hisfriends and associates,” he said.
“It was an honor tohave known such a great person who has left indelible marks in my life. May Godgrant Jannat to the departed soul and bestow courage and endurance to thebereaved family to bear this irreparable loss.” He remarked that the void leftby the demise of Jan Saheb is hard to be filled not for his family but hisfriends and acquaintances. “I extend my heartfelt condolences to the griefstricken family to bear this inconsolable loss,” Bukhari said.
Former Tourism minister Muhammad Dilawar Mir has expressedprofound grief and sorrow over Jan’s demise.
“He was a straight forward and sincere humanbeing,” Mir said in his condolence message expressing sympathies with thebereaved family.
Chairman PDF Hakeem Yaseen also condoled Jan’s demise. In his condolence message, Yaseen conveyedhis sympathies to the bereaved family and prayed for eternal peace to thedeparted soul. He described Jan as a thorough gentleman who always cared forpoor and needy. Meanwhile, youth secretary PDP Arif Laigaroo also condoled thedemise.