LAHORE, Aug 1: PML President Chaudhry Shujaat Husain and Punjab Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi on Monday expressed condolences over the death of King Fahd bin Abdulaziz of Saudi Arabia, saying it was a great loss to Ummat. Mr Husain said in a message that King Fahd was one of the most sincere friends of Pakistan and he always stood on Pakistan’s side at every difficult juncture.

The PML leader said Islamic countries would never forget the role played by King Fahd in the expansion of Masjid Alharam and Masjid-i-Nabvi. He also recalled a visit he had paid to the kingdom as prime minister. He said despite indisposition, King Fahd had shown an unforgettable affection and discussed matters of mutual interest.

The time spent with King Fahd was a valuable memory, he added. He said the people and the government of Pakistan shared the grief of the royal family and the people and the government of Saudi Arabia.

Mr Elahi said King Fahd had played an important in settling various disputes concerning the Islamic countries. The king had provided resources for a number of welfare projects in the Islamic countries and his services to the Islamic world would always be remembered.

QAZI: MMA president and Jamaat-i-Islami amir Qazi Husain Ahmad has expressed his grief and sorrow over the demise of Saudi King Fahd.

In a statement on Monday, he paid rich tributes to religious, political and social services of the late King. “The Arab world and the Ummah have been deprived of a great sympathizer,” he said.

Qazi hoped that the new king would continue the tradition of the departed soul and would initiate an emergent plan to reinvigorate the OIC platform in the best interest of the Muslims across the globe.