Kamal Abbasi: Strong supporter of greener Islamabad

Islamabad: It was a goodbye for someone who was indeed exceptional. He had several distinctions to his credit and was acknowledged as a high achiever always. During his lifetime, he was lauded for the name and fame he earned as a planner and implementer of massive engineering projects, home and abroad. He was widely acknowledged for his professional accomplishments as top executive of huge concerns. But the reference held in his memory at Islamabad Club was a tribute to Kamal Abbasi the person who was remembered by his friends and colleagues as someone with the kindest heart and an ever smiling face.

The reference was organised by the Islamabad Horticultural Society, an organisation that aims for a greener Islamabad. Kamal Abbasi was an active member of the Society and extended wholehearted support to initiatives on horticulture, floriculture, landscaping and hobby gardening

President Horticultural Society Mohammad Sulaiman and others paid rich tributes to their deceased colleague and recalled his gentle and kind demeanour as a distinct personality trait. They said that death is always a great loss for family friends and colleagues but in Kamal Abbasi s case it is the demise of a mentor, a think tank and a visionary.

Dr Riaz Bukhari, secretary general of the Society referred to him as an inspiration. “In most difficult and complicated situations Abbasi Sahib always had a solution” he recalled adding that the emotional connection will always remain as it is a reminder of good memories and happy times.

While recalling his helpful and caring ways for all alike, speakers refreshed memories of his love for greener surroundings. During winters he wanted to see rose paths grow in every street in the neighbourhood and would be eager to share useful information with rosarians. His wife Begum Nighat Abbasi is also committed to floriculture and has a special fondness for rose cultivation.

The reference would have been incomplete without Kamal Abbasi”s contribution to Family Health Hospital, Islamabad, a project of Family Planning Association of Pakistan. The challenging initiative was lead by Begum Nighat Abbasi, a renowned social worker and was supported all the way by her husband in generating donor support, mobilizing contacts for duty free purchase of medical equipment and allocating quality time and resources for the cause of women’s health.

The Family Health Hospital, Islamabad was a great collaborative partnership between Kamal sahib and Nighat Abbasi. While his efforts in building and expanding technology in Pakistan will be remembered his contribution in making a difference to the lives of poor and vulnerable in the society will be remembered much longer and is the noblest goodbye, speakers concluded.