BAHAWALPUR, May 24: Rich tributes were paid to the late Nawab Sadiq Muhammad Khan Abbasi (the fifth) on his 40th death anniversary on Wednesday.

The district administration had declared a local holiday in connection with the occasion. Quran Khwani was held at the royal graveyard in Derawar (Cholistan) and the Jamia Masjid al-Sadiq, Bahawalpur.

Several social organisations arranged special functions to highlight the life of the last ruler of defunct Bahawalpur state. Speakers at a function held under the auspices of the Bazme-i-Dilshauq at the S.D. High school eulogised the services of the late nawab for the cause of Pakistan, Islam and the people.

Mr Gulzar Ghauri, a social worker, organised an exhibition of the rare photographs and stamps of the Nawab’s era at the post office park. Besides, the administrations of the central library and Bahawalpur museums arranged exhibitions of books, rare articles and antiques, which attracted a large number of people.

The Bahawalpur Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Anjuman-i-Tajran also arranged separate functions.