RAWALPINDI: The veteran Kashmiri leader, Chaudhri Ghulam Abbas, died here this morning [Dec 18] after a protracted illness. He was 63. The Namaz-i-Janaza will be held tomorrow (Tuesday) at Liaquat Garden, Rawalpindi, at 2-00 p.m. He will be laid to rest at Faizabad near Islamabad, according to his will.

A plot of four kanals of land has been donated by Anjuman Faizul Islam, Rawalpindi, for the grave of the Kashmiri leader.

Chaudhri Ghulam Abbas was admitted to the Combined Military Hospital, Rawalpindi, about two weeks ago, in a serious condition. He was suffering from cancer of the stomach.

The great Kashmiri leader breathed his last at the hospital at 11.45 a.m. in complete peace and composure.

The President of the All-Jammu and Kashmir Muslim Conference, Sardar Abdul Qayyum Khan and a host of Kashmiri leaders and relatives of the departed leader were by his bedside when he died.

The passing away of the veteran Kashmiri leader cast a pall of gloom all over Azad Kashmir.

Immediately on the receipt of news from Rawalpindi, the flag was lowered at half-mast on all public buildings and Government offices. Educational institutions were closed for two days as a mark of respect to the departed leader who led his people for 40 years in their march towards freedom and emancipation. All shops and business establishments also closed down.

The Azad Kashmir President, Mr Abdul Hamid Khan, is heading for Rawalpindi tomorrow to be present at the funeral ceremonies of Chaudhri Sahib. A large number of people, political workers, friends and admirers of Chaudhri Sahib started leaving for Rawalpindi to pay their last homage to the departed soul.

Kashmiri leaders of all shades of opinion from all over Kashmir and Pakistan are pouring here to pay their last homage to the champion of the Kashmir Liberation Movement. On the request of the people of Jammu and Kashmir and other leaders and important personalities from Pakistan, the bereaved family decided to lay the mortal remains of Chaudhri Sahib to eternal rest tomorrow.

Published in Dawn, December 19th, 2017