BAHAWALPUR: Tributes were paid to the late Nawab of Bahawalpur Sir Muhammad Sadiq Khan Abbasi V at a number of special functions here on his 58th death anniversary.

All provincial government departments and educational institutions observed a holiday on Friday.

At a function held at Abbasiya Campus of the Islamia University Bahawalpur (IUB), Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Naveed Akhtar, Commissioner Nadir Chatha and other speakers paid homage to the late Nawab for his services to promotion of education, health and welfare for his people in the state.

They lauded the state ruler for establishing the Bahawalpur Jamia Islamia (now Islamia University) on the pattern of Jamia Al-Azhar in Cairo.

A function was held at Bahawalpur Press Club where a number of journalists, writers and poets paid tributes to Sir Muhammad Sadiq Khan Abbasi V. Several other social bodies also held functions where speakers lauded the late Nawab’s services.

A ceremony was arranged by DC Zaheer Anwar Jappa at the royal graveyard near Derawar Fort in Cholistan.

A police contingent presented the guard of honour to all the late Nawabs of the Bahawalpur state.

Punjab Assembly Deputy Speaker Malik Zaheer Iqbal Channar, Commissioner Nadir Chatha , RPO Rai Babar Saeed and other government officials laid flower wreaths on the graves of the Nawabs in the graveyard. A wreath was also laid on the grave of the Nawab on behalf of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz.

In Bahawalpur museum, artists and calligraphers participated in a paintings contest and drew sketches of the late Nawab to pay homage to his services. MPA Dr Rana Muhammad Tariq gave away prizes to winners.

Published in Dawn, May 25th, 2024