Pakistan to observe a day of mourning over demise of veteran Kashmiri leader

Announcing a day of official mourning, Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday lauded Syed Ali Shah Geelani’s ‘courageous struggle’.

“Deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Kashmiri freedom fighter Syed Ali Geelani who struggled all his life for his people and their right to self-determination, the premier said in a tweet.

He further said that the veteran leader suffered incarceration and torture by the occupying Indian state but remained resolute.

Deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Kashmiri freedom fighter Syed Ali Geelani who struggled all his life for his people & their right to self determination. He suffered incarceration & torture by the Occupying Indian state but remained resolute.

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— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) September 1, 2021

Veteran Kashmiri leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani passed away Wednesday night at his home in Srinagar, capital of Indian Occupied Kashmir at the age of 91.

Syed Ali Geelani was born on September 29, 1929, to Syed Peer Shah Geelani of Zoori Munz village in Tehsil Bandipora which then formed a part of  Baramulla district.

Geelani received his preliminary education at Sopore, and finished his studies at the Oriental College, Lahore (Pakistan).

In similar words, President Dr Arif Alvi also expressed his deep grief and sorrow over the demise of the veteran leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani.

“Kashmir has been deprived of a great leader who remained steadfast against the Indian imperialism all his life,” he said in his condolence message.

“Ali Geelani was a brave, courageous and sincere leader,” the president said praying that Allah Almighty the departed soul eternal peace and grant courage to the bereaved family to bear the loss with fortitude.

In a Twitter message, Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa expressed deepest grief on the demise of “icon of Kashmir Freedom Movement”.

“His lifelong sacrifices and ceaseless struggle symbolises indomitable resolve of Kashmiris against Indian occupation,” the army chief said.

General Qamar Javed Bajwa #COAS expresses deepest grief on the sad demise of Syed Ali Shah Geelani, icon of #Kashmir Freedom Movement. “ His lifelong sacrifices & ceaseless struggle symbolises indomitable resolve of Kashmiris against Indian occupation. (1/2)

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— DG ISPR (@OfficialDGISPR) September 1, 2021

He further stated that Geelani’s dream and mission will live on until people of IIOJ&K win their right of self-determination.

Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, in his message, said that Geeani fought for the rights of Kashmiris till the very end even under house arrest of the Indian occupation forces.

Deeming Geelani to be the torchbearer of the Kashmir freedom movement, Qureshi prayed that may the veteran leaders dream of freedom come true.

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Pakistan mourns the loss of Syed Ali Shah Geelani, torch bearer of the Kashmir freedom movement. Shah Sb fought for the rights of Kashmiris till the very end, under house arrest of Indian occupation. May he rest in peace and may his dream of freedom come true.

— Shah Mahmood Qureshi (@SMQureshiPTI) September 1, 2021

Minister for Information and Broadcasting Chaudhry Fawad Hussain also expressed his grief and sorrow

“In this hour of grief, I express my heartfelt condolences to the people of Kashmir on behalf of the Prime Minister, the Government of Pakistan and the people,” he said in a video message.

“We salute that great freedom fighter,” Fawad said adding that although Geelani’s long fight of freedom, started even before 1947, has come to an end but the journey of his struggle would continue.