“Condolences pour in from all corners on Khan’s demise”
By Javed Iqbal Ch.,
ISLAMABAD/RAWALAKOT: (Parliament Times) Veteran politician from Azad Jammu and Kashmir and 5-time member of AJK Legislative Assembly, Sardar Khalid Ibrahim Khan passed away at a hospital in Islamabad on Sunday morning. He suffered brain hemorrhage on Saturday evening
Five time parliamentarians, Sardar Khalid Ibrahim Khan was the son of Azad Jammu and Kashmir’s founding and four times President, Sardar Muhammad Ibrahim Khan. Khan founded his party (Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Party) and remained its President until his death. He was known as impeccably honest politician and a fiery speaker in the parliament.
Journalist Tariq Naqqash while expressing views on Khan said “he had the rare courage to speak straight from the shoulder, notwithstanding its repercussions on his political career. He was honest to the core and always averse to pomp and show”.
Khan was the only parliamentarian who tendered resignation from parliament twice on principles. When AJK assembly passed a law allowing its members to receive handsome monthly pensions, he opposed it. He also opposed the hefty augmentation of emoluments of Parliamentarians saying it were already enough in view of the work done by them.
Sardar Adnan Riaz Advocate, one of the close loyalists of Sardar Khalid Ibrahim Khan said that today we have lost an indefatigable defender of people’s rights and a fierce critic of extravagance and discrimination. He commanded great respect in and out of parliament and was one of the articulate and eloquent speakers. His sudden death has dealt a serious blow to political leadership of AJK in general and Sudhan tribe in particular and we may not be able to fill the vacuum thus left for a long time to come.
Sardar Khalid Ibrahim Khan was born in Rawalakot, Azad Jammu and Kashmir to an elite Sudhan family on November 5, 1948. He was the only son of the founder President who was in politics. He was close relative of President Sardar Muhammad Masood Khan. Khalid left two sons, two daughters and a wife.
Expressing his deep sense of shock President Sardar Masood Khan termed Khan’s death as an irreparable loss to his family and the people of AJK. He said Khan was a daring politician, who never compromised his principles in politics. He served the masses five times and had deep roots among people of Poonch. The vacuum left by his death would not be bridged for long, he added.
AJK Prime Minister Raja Farooq Haider Khan while condoling the untimely death of Sardar Khalid Ibrahim announced one-day official mourning on Monday due to Khan’s death. It would be a closed holiday. The Premier expressed deep sense of shock over Khan’s sudden death, sympathized with his family and prayed for his soul.
The AJK cabinet members, MLAs, Advisors to government, members of opposition in AJK LA and other political circles paying tributes to the services rendered by Khan said his commitment and dedication in serving his constituents was commendable from the fact that he was elected from Rawalakot for five times. They said he firmly stood to his principles and voiced for people’s rights in the parliament. They also expressed sympathy with the bereaved family and prayed for departed soul.
Vice Chancellor AJK University Prof. Dr. Kaleem Abbasi also announced a day’s mourning and closure of varsity on Monday.
Khan’s funeral will be held at 2 pm on Monday at his native town (Kot Muttey Khan) at Rawalakot.
