KARACHI, Jan 26: The demise of Khan Abdul Wali Khan, founder of the Awami National Party, was widely condoled here by political and nationalist leaders.

Wali Khan, who had a long history of struggle for democracy and rights of smaller province, was respected by all segments of political quarters.

In his condolence message, Baloch nationalist leader and a former chief minister of Balochistan Sardar Ataullah Khan Mengal, founder of the Balochistan National Party, said: “We have lost a great nationalist leader who had made great sacrifices for the cause of smaller nationalities.”

Paying tributes to the late leader, Sardar Mengal said “he was not only our party leader, but also our old comrade.”

Sardar Mengal said that Wali Khan’s death was not only a great loss to Pakhtoon nationalists, but also to all nationalists who had lost a historical personality of their national struggle for sovereign rights.

Expressed his grief and sorrow to the bereaved family, he said the late Khan’s services would always be remembered.

It was in 1974 when the first democratically elected Balochistan government, headed by Sardar Ataullah Khan Mengal, was dismissed. Khan Abdul Wali Khan and Sardar Ataullah Khan Mengal and Mir Ghaus Baksh Bizenjo were among the leaders and activists detained in Hyderabad jail to face conspiracy charges.

Describing him as ‘a true democrat’ and ‘a man of principles’, senior Baloch leader Sardar Sherbaz Khan Mazari said: “We lack such leaders nowadays.” He paid rich tributes to him, saying that the late leader had always fought for the restoration of democracy and rights of the oppressed nationalities.

He said he had called Begum Nasim Wali Khan on Wednesday night to inquire about the health of Wali Khan. He said she was upset and informed him that the Khan was still in coma.

Sardar Mazari, who himself is seriously ill, regretted that he would not be able to attend Khan Saheb’s funeral.

Sardar Mazari founded the National Democratic Party after the National Awami Party, headed by Wali Khan, was banned in ’70s while a military operation in Balochistan was under way and many leaders of the defunct NAP leaders were sent behind the bars.

President of the National Party Dr Abdul Hayee Baloch said Khan Abdul Wali Khan’s death had created a political vacuum in the country which could never be filled.

The country has lost a great historical personality who had always struggled and made great sacrifices for the restoration of democratic order and for provincial autonomy.

The NP leader said the late Khan had never compromised on principles and had always supported the cause of oppressed nationalities. In this context, he recalled the events in ’70s, and said the late Khan always stood behind the Baloch leadership and resisted the military operation in Balochistan for which he, along with other Baloch leaders, had to face conspiracy charges and imprisonment.

Senior politician Mairaj Mohammad Khan expressed his deep grief and sorrow over the demise of veteran leader Abdul Wali Khan, and described him as a great nationalist and democrat who had struggled and made sacrifices for the rights of nationalities.

“The late Khan will always be remembered for the key role he had played in the unanimous approval of the 1973 constitution despite his differences with the government of that time. He has left a void which will not be easy to fill,” Mairaj Khan said.

Muttahida Qaumi Movement chief Altaf Hussain called Asfandyar Wali from London to condole the death of his father Khan Abdul Wali Khan. Mr Hussain paid tributes to the late leader and said that Wali Khan had always opposed dictatorship and struggled for the restoration of a true democracy in the country.

“His death has created a vacuum in the struggle for democracy which could not be filled for years.”

PML-N leaders, including Mushahidullah, former Sindh governor Mamnoon Husain, Salim Zia and Khawaja Tariq Nazir, also condoled Khan Abdul Wali Khan’s death and lauded his services for the rights of masses.

Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad and Chief Minister Dr Arbab Rahim have expressed grief and sorrow over the demise of the seasoned politician, Khan Abdul Wali Khan, agencies add.

In his condolence message, Dr Ibad lauded the services the late Khan rendered to the country.

He prayed that Almighty Allah shower blessings on the departed soul and grant strength to the bereaved family to bear the loss with fortitude.

Dr Arbab, in a separate statement, said that the significant role played by Abdul Wali Khan and his upholding of democracy could never be forgotten. His services would always be remembered, the chief minister said.

Leader of the opposition in the Sindh Assembly, Nisar Ahmed Khuhro of PPP, expressed his deep grief over the demise of Khan Abdul Wali Khan.

In his condolence message sent to ANP President Senator Asfandyar Wali and his family, he termed the Khan’s demise ‘a big loss to political forces of Pakistan’.

He eulogized the Wali Khan’s services for democracy, provincial autonomy and people’s rights.

General-Secretary of PPP, Sindh, Nafis Siddiqui also condoled Wali Khan’s death and paid tributes to the struggle he had rendered for democratic and constitutional rights, as well as provincial autonomy over many decades.

Leaders of Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal Maulana Asadullah Bhutto, Dr Mumtaz Memon, Mumtaz Sahito, Abdul Ghaffar Omar and Mujahid Channa offered condolence to the bereaved family of Khan Abdul Wali Khan on his sad demise.

In their message, they said that in the death of Wali Khan, the nation had lost a prominent politician who had rendered great political services to the country.

They prayed that Almighty Allah rest the departed soul in eternal peace and grant courage to the bereaved family.

President of Mazdoor Kissan Party Fatehyab Ali Khan said that in the death of veteran politician Khan Abdul Wali Khan the peaceful ‘Red Shirt’ movement has come to its last chapter.

“One may differ with Wali Khan, but when Bacha Khan launched the peaceful movement, in the otherwise aggressive Pakhtoon society, Wali Khan became a torch- bearer of the democratic movement. Wali Khan’s death is an irreparable loss.” He has asked his partymen to attend his funeral and wear black armbands for three days.

NPP Chairman Ghulam Mustafa Jatoi paid tributes to the services rendered by Khan Abdul Wali for the cause of democracy, constitution and rule of law, and said that the veteran leader had never compromised on principles. He conveyed his grief to the bereaved family.

MOURNING: President of the Awami National Party, Sindh, Shahi Syed has announced a seven-day mourning for the ANP leader Khan Abdul Wali Khan.