Veteran ANP leader Afzal Khan Lala passes away at 89

ISLAMABAD: Veteran Pakhtun nationalist and Awami National Party (ANP) leader Afzal Khan Lala passed away in Islamabad on Sunday due to protracted illness. He was 89 years old.

His Namaz-e-Janaza (funeral prayers) will be offered at his ancestral village Darvesh Kalay in Matta, Swat at 4:30 pm today.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif expressed grief and sorrow over the demise of the veteran leader. He lauded the services of veteran leader for democracy in the country.

Political leaders sent out messages on social media to condole the death of the senior leader.

May the brave Afzal Khan Lala rest in peace. I am very sad at his demise, offered dua for him during a function in New York.

— Mian Iftikhar Husain (@mianiftikharhus) November 1, 2015

Death of Mohammad Afzal Khan (Khan Lala)is a great loss for Pashtuns.A champion of our national unity is no more. RIP. Struggle to continue.

— Afrasiab Khattak (@a_siab) November 1, 2015

My condolences to the family, sad to hear of his passing, Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un. https://t.co/Y8c6gRUhMo

— Bakhtawar B-Zardari (@BakhtawarBZ) November 1, 2015

Amazing man, Afzal Lala. Pakistan will miss his brave resistance to the Taliban. May he rest in peace https://t.co/Xn2Vc0TnTF

— SenatorSherryRehman (@sherryrehman) November 1, 2015