Asghar Khan laid to rest with full military honour

ABBOTTABAD: Former Pakistan Air Force (PAF) chief and veteran politician Air Marshal (R) Asghar Khan was laid to rest at his ancestral graveyard at Nawanshehr here on Saturday with full military honour.

Earlier, his funeral prayers were offered at the Frontier Force Regiment Centre in Abbottabad city. It was attended by people from all walks of life including civil and military officers, politicians and notables of the area.

His son Ali Asghar Khan and close relative Farooq Rehmatullah received the mourners. Former ministers Omar Ayub Khan and Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri were conspicuous among those who attended the funeral.

Asghar Khan’s body, wrapped in the national flag, was brought to the Nawanshehr graveyard for burial. A contingent of the PAF was in attendance during the last rites of the deceased air chief. Eight PAF aircraft flew in a fly-past on the occasion to pay tributes to him.

Air Vice-Marshal Imran Khalid, Air Officer Commanding, PAF Asghar Khan Academy Risalpur placed floral wreath on his grave. The wreath-laying ceremony was also held on behalf of the President and Prime Minister of Pakistan, Chief of Army Staff and Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, ex-chiefs of PA, Chief of the Air Staff and Corps Commander 10th Corps and General Officer Commanding 34 Division.

Strict security measures were taken during the funeral and at the graveyard. The entire area was cordoned off by the security agencies.

The Qul of Asghar Khan would be held today (Sunday) at his residence in Abbottabad.

Earlier in morning, state funeral was held at PAF Base, Nur Khan. A smartly turned out contingent of the PAF presented the guard of honour on the occasion.

The funeral parade was attended by Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Zubair Mahmood Hayat, Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman, Chief of the Air Staff, Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi, Chief of Naval Staff, federal ministers, ex-PAF Air Chiefs, ambassadors/diplomats, war veterans, senior civil and military officials of tri services and large number of people from all walks of life, the PAF spokesperson said.

The family members were also present at the occasion. After the funeral, the coffin was transported to Abbottabad by a PAF helicopter.

Paying rich tributes to the selfless services of iconic Air Marshal Asghar Khan, the Air Chief said in his message that he was a beacon of inspiration for the entire rank and file of PAF. He said Asghar Khan was a man of sterling character, great humility, outstanding professionalism and unflinching determination.

The air chief also said that the PAF profusely owed him for the countless contributions he made for this great service. He added that owing to his great achievements, Asghar Khan would be remembered as the ‘Father of Pakistan Air Force’ for the times to come.