PESHAWAR, April 18: Provincial lawmakers paid rich tributes to former NWFP Assembly speaker Hidayatullah Khan Chamkani, who died of cardiac arrest on Monday morning, and offered Fateha for the departed soul. Earlier, Speaker Bakht Jehan Khan, who was presiding over the session, inform the house about the sudden death of Mr Chamkani and adjourned the session, enabling his colleagues to mourn the death of the former speaker.

The speaker said he had witnessed some landmark rulings given by Mr Chamkani as speaker of the House.

Mr Chamkani remained the speaker of the assembly from Oct 20, 1993 till May 19, 1994 and from Feb 20, 1997 till June 20, 2001.

Abdul Akbar Khan of the PPP said that Mr Chamkani was an experienced parliamentarian who followed democratic traditions. The province had lost a great lawmaker and a genuine politician.

Anwar Kamal Khan of the PML-N said Mr Chamkani was an institution in his person and was the custodian of the House in real sense. His neutral role in running the affairs of the House should be judged from the fact that he gave more time to the opposition than the treasury benches, he added.

Opposition Leader Shahzada Mohammad Gustasap Khan said that Mr Chamkani had run the House in a good manner even during tense atmosphere.

Dr Mohammad Saleem Khan of the Swabi Qaumi Mahaz said that the vacuum created by the death of Mr Chamkani could not be filled soon. Pir Mohammad Khan, a dissident of the ruling Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal, said that Mr Chamakani had run the proceedings like an elder brother of all members of the House.

He said despite the separation of the Awami National Party from the then NWFP government, he acted as a wise and impartial speaker of the House.

Khalid Waqar Chamkani, a political rival of Mr Chamkani, termed his death a big loss to the province, which he said, would not be filled shortly.

Senior Minister Sirajul Haq paid tributes to the former speaker and said that he had laid foundation of good traditions and maintained the prestige of the august House.

Syed Qalb-i-Hassan of the ANP, Makhdoom Mureed Kazim of the PPP (S), Mushtaq Ahmed Ghani and Khalil Abbas Khattak also spoke about the democratic credentials of the late parliamentarian.

Later, the House offered Fateha for the departed soul and the speaker adjourned the sitting till Wednesday.