Condolence reference held for deceased MPA

Speakers say Zainul Abideen promoted sectarian

harmony and was an ardent supporter of Pakistan-India peace

PESHAWAR: The speakers at a condolence reference paid glowing tributes to former member of provincial assembly late Zainul Abideen who had passed away a few days back.

Khawaja Mohammad Waseem, president, Pak-India People’s Forum Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chapter, former provincial senior minister and Pakistan People’s Party leader Rahimdad Khan, Dr. Shah Jehan, Vice-chancellor of Iqra University, Prof. Dr. Israruddin, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leader Rahmat Ghazi, Shahzada Khalid Pervez, Zaheer Ali, Shamim Shahid, Sartaj Ahmad Khan and others spoke on the occasion.

“He was an ambassador of peace. He played crucial role for ensuring sectarian harmony in his own native village and was an ardent supporter of Pakistan- India peace as well,” said Prof Israruddin, a former chairman of the Geography Department.

The speakers including politicians, academicians, senior journalists and relatives of the late Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader shared various aspects of his life with the audience.

Khwaja Waseem recalled that late Zianul Abideen was a great patriot and wanted friendly relations with India. For such purposes, Zainul Abideen had attended nine annual conferences of the forum- five in India and four in Pakistan, he recalled.

PPP leader Rahimdad Khan praised late Zainul Abideen as a highly decent, soft spoken and experienced politicians. “He was not only respected in the PPP but also popular among leaders and workers of other political parties,” he added.

Azam Afridi, former district nazim of Peshawar, said that Zainul Abideen was popular and respected throughout Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Other speakers said Zianul Abideen was a symbol of unity in Chitral like most sensitive, remote and backward part of the country.

They added that late PPP leader would be remembered for long for his unflinching commitment to Chitral and its inhabitants.

On behalf of Peshawar Press Club, senior member Syed Zulfikar Ali Shah welcomed the guests whereas on behalf of the family Saifuddin, country manager University of Bristol, thanked the speakers and participants.