ISLAMABAD, Sept 13: PPP Chairperson Benazir Bhutto has said that Shaikh Rashid Ahmed was a revolutionary who dedicated his life to fight feudalism, imperialism and capitalism, and he was a man of integrity who stood by the party in tough times.

She said this in a condolence letter sent to Shaikh Rashid’s widow on Friday. His death, she said, was a loss which “I and the whole party share with you.”

The PPP leader said Shaikh Rashid’s contribution to forming the Pakistan People’s Party and defending the working classes shook the foundations of dictatorship and exploitation.

“His passing away marks the end of an era. The torch now passes on to a new generation of PPP workers who salute the sacrifices of Shaikh Rashid Ahmed for the PPP and are determined to strengthen the PPP as the party of the downtrodden masses.”

The former premier said: “Shaikh sahib has gone from this world but he lives on in our hearts and the hearts of the discriminated and deprived wherever they be in the four corners of Pakistan.”

“May Allah in His infinite mercy bless his soul. May Allah grant you the patience to bear this loss,” she prayed.