ABBOTTABAD, July 8: SUNGI Development Foundation’s board of governors has refused to accept suicide as being the reason behind the death of former federal minister Omar Asghar Khan and urged the government to set up an inquiry commission under the high court and make the real cause of his death public.

In a joint statement the BoG members issued after the commemorative meeting organized on the 49th birth anniversary of Omar, they said he was a man of high courage and determination. Being SUNGI’s executive director, he had to face a number of threats from the vested interest groups but he never gave in. Rather each time he got an intimidation, he intensified his efforts for social development with renewed energies and commitment.

“It was unbelievable and inconceivable that the person like Omar Asghar Khan, having the nerves of steel, could ever commit suicide,” said the BoG members. They asked the government to immediately initiate an impartial investigation into the death of former federal minister.

While expressing their deep grief and sorrow over the untimely, sad demise of Omar Asghar, they said his death was a great loss for the entire nation, for the services he rendered in different capacities for the social development.

They said Omar was highly respected among different sections of the society for the invaluable and tireless efforts he made for eradicating poverty and under development from Hazara division and for the uplift of the common man in the country.

The BoG members said throughout his life, Omar upheld the values of social justice, human rights and democracy, and worked hard to carve out space for the deprived communities in the decision-making processes.

They resolved to continue to further his agenda of social development along with the team he groomed under his dynamic leadership.