KARACHI, Oct 26: Homage was paid to the former federal minister, Omar Asghar Khan, at a function organized by the Pakistan Institute of Labour Education and Research (Piler) and the speakers called for a high-level inquiry into the motives and causes of his death.

The function was attended by a large number of people, including the bereaved family.

Paying glowing tributes to the services rendered by the late minister, the speakers said that the minister had made all out efforts to ensure freedom of the bonded labourers in Kotri and set up a Rs100 million relief fund for their rehabilitation.

They attributed establishment of the Workers-Employers Bilateral Council of Pakistan (Webcop) to Mr Khan and said he provided an ideal forum to the two significant segments of society to discuss and settle their problems through bilateral negotiations. They said that the late labour minister had put in extraordinary efforts and extended his fullest support for the welfare of the labour class.

The speakers urged people to continue the struggle for a radical social change in the society for which Omar Asghar Khan worked relentlessly till the last drop of his blood. This is the best way to pay tributes to the departed soul, they said.