LAHORE: Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif on Friday visited the family of Naik Imtiaz Ahmad, who lost his life in unprovoked firing by Indian forces across the Line of Control on Thursday, in Faisalabad and offered his condolences.

He met the parents and family of the deceased and went to the graveyard in Hajveri Town on Sargodha Road.

He laid a wreath at the soldier’s grave and offered Fateha.

The chief minister announced that the local school would be upgraded and named after Shaheed Naik Imtiaz Ahmad.

Paying tribute to the courage and bravery of Naik Ahmad, Mr Sharif said that the soldier had set a noble example by sacrificing his life to defend the country, and the nation was proud of him.

He said that both Naik Ahmad and Havildar Jumma Khan were heroes of the nation and that no one could dare cast an evil eye on the country in the presence of such brave sons.

He said Naik Ahmad was an asset and pride of the Pakistan Army as well as the nation and “his sacrifice will not go to waste, and lead to freedom for the Kashmiris”.

Mr Sharif saluted the courage of the elderly parents of the deceased and assured them that the nation and the Punjab government were with them and would do everything possible for the daughters of the martyred.

Talking to the media, the chief minister said that Pakistan was passing through a critical phase and there was a need for national unity and solidarity.

Without mentioning names, he criticised the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf by saying that those promoting confusion and conflict in the country were betraying the blood of the martyrs.

Our Gilgit correspondent adds: Havildar Jumma Khan was laid to rest in his ancestral graveyard at Fakirkot in Astore on Friday.

Force Commander Northern Areas Maj Gen Sakib Mehmood Malik, civil and military officers along with a large number of people attended the funeral prayers.

Jumma Khan is survived by his wife, a son and two daughters.

Published in Dawn, October 1st, 2016