MULTAN, Sept 28: Nawabzada Nasrullah Khan was laid to rest at his ancestral graveyard in Khangarh, Muzaffargarh district, on Sunday amid the presence of thousands of grief-stricken mourners.

People were seen moaning and sobbing, irrespective of their cast, creed and social status. Markets remained closed in the town for the second consecutive day to mourn the death of a native who gave sleepless nights to the dictators, both military and civilian, to keep hopes for a democratic system in the country afloat.

Even the rivals of Nawabzada family in the local politics were seen overwhelmed by grief. Top political leadership from all the four corners of the country thronged Khangarh to join the last rites of the Nawabzada.

Prominent among them were: Makhdoom Amin Fahim, Makhdoom Javed Hashmi, Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, Ghulam Ahmed Bilour, Mir Hasil Bizenjo, Mian Manzoor Ahmed Watto, Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani, Maulana Azam Tariq, Mian Mohammad Azhar, Fakhr Imam, Mir Balakh Sher Mazari, Qazi Hussain Ahmed, Maulana Fazlur Rehman, Liaquat Baloch, Meraj Mohammad Khan, Malik Hakmeen, Prof Ghafoor Ahmed, Taj Mohammad Langah, Aftab Sheikh, Makhdoom Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Jehangir Badr, Sardar Zulfiqar Ali Khosa, Sardar Irfanullah Khosa, Khalid Kharal and Begum Tehmina Daultana.

JUI-F chief and MMA stalwart Maulana Fazlur Rehman laid the funeral prayers while Makhdoom Javed Hashmi and other PML-N leaders wrapped Nawabzada’s coffin in their party flag as a mark of respect.

The prayers were held at the Khangarh sports ground which could not accommodate a large number of people who had to offer prayers on adjoining roads and streets.

The police had taken special security measures for the safety of the gathering of a number of VVIPs and smooth flow of traffic.

Talking to newsmen, Chaudhry Shujaat paid glowing tributes to Nawabzada Nasrullah Khan for what he said his unstained political career spanned over decades.

ARD leaders Amin Fahim and Javed Hashmi termed the death of the Nawabzada a national loss and vowed to carry out his mission for complete restoration of democracy in the country. They said their respective parties would abide by the principles “the great leader had envisaged for a sustainable alliance”.

Without disclosing the details, they said the ARD would follow the 14-point agenda the late leader had formulated for the restoration of democracy in the last ARD meeting held in Islamabad.

MMA’s Qazi Hussain Ahmed termed the death of Nawabzada Nasrullah a loss to the struggle for democracy, Islam and the Kashmir cause. He vowed to remain in touch with ARD leadership for the supremacy of the Constitution.

According to APP, Punjab and NWFP chief ministers Pervaiz Elahi and Akram Durrani, National Speaker Amir Hussain and Millat Party President Sardar Farooq Ahmad Khan Leghari will attend the Qul of the late politician.