Pakistan to mourn Fahd death for seven days
01 August, 2005
ISLAMABAD, August 02 (Online): Pakistan has announced a seven-day national mourning on the death of Saudi King Fahd Bin Abdel Aziz, who expired on Monday at the age of 83 after prolong ailment.
Country's national flag would fly half-mast on all the government and private buildings during the weeklong mourning.
In his condolence message aired by state-run Pakistan Television, President Gen Pervez Musharraf said he alongwith the entire Pakistani nation was in a state of deep shock, sorrow over the death of Servant of the two Holy sites King Fahd.
He said, "we, the Pakistanis, are with our Saudi brethren in this time of pain and gloom, and pray Almighty Allah to rest the departed soul in eternal peace and grant resilience to them to bear the irreparable loss."
He said Pak-Saudi ties witnessed new heights during King Fahd's rule and "we take much pride in our current very brotherly relations with Saudis."
Gen Musharraf said he had the privilege to meet late king many a time and sought his advice and guidance on matters of mutual interests whenever the need arose.
President General Pervez Musharraf will leave for Saudi Arabia today (Tuesday) on a one day visit to attend the funeral of late Saudi King Shah Fahad Bin Abdul Aziz.
Besides attending the funeral of late Saudi King, President Musharraf will also call on Fahd's successor Prince Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz who is the servant of two Holy sites.
Foreign office spokesman Naeem Khan will also accompany the president. The president after attending the funeral and condolence with the family of late Saudi King will return home the same day.
Meanwhile, Sheikh Rashid Ahmad, the information minister, said on Monday the sad demise of Saudi king Shah Fahd Bin Abdel Aziz had shocked entire Pakistani nation which shares the tragedy is with their Saudi brethren.
"Pakistan has lost a true friend of Pakistan." the minister told a private television.
He said Pakistan had time-tested relations with Saudi Arabia that always came to Pakistan's support in difficult times.
He praised King Fahd's active role in war on terror While Speaker and Deputy Speaker National Assembly Chaudhry Amir Hussain and Sardar Muhammad Yaqoob also expressed profound grief over the sad demise of King Fahd Bin Abdul Aziz of Saudi Arabia.
In thier condolence message, they said that King Fahd Bin Abdul Aziz of Saudi Arabia was a true friend of Pakistan and he played a pivotal role in uniting Muslims and pleading their cause in the world forums.
“His role to revitalize the OIC was exemplary. His services for the cause of Ummah world will be remembered for a long time to come”, he added.
Meanwhile, Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Northern Areas Makhdoom Syed Faisal Saleh Hayat has also condoled the death of King Fahd of Saudi Arabia. In a condolence message, the minister said King Fahd was a great statesman who enjoyed respect throughout the world.
Faisal prayed that Allah Almighty may rest the departed soul eternal in eternal peace.
Later on Secretary General of Pakistan Muslim League Mushahid Hussain Syed expressing deep sorrow and shock over the demise of Saudi King Fahd Bin Abdul Aziz said that role of Shah Fahad for the solidarity of Muslim Ummah is unforgettable.
Speaking to a private TV channel, Mushahid Hussain Syed said that Pak -Saudi friendship reached at its zenith during the era of King Shahid Fahad. He added that Shah Fahad also took several measures to promote the friendship with West and USA besides playing active role for the solidarity of Muslim Ummah. He further said that role of Shah Fahad during Gulf War of 1991 and earlier war against communists was remarkable. He said that after 9/11, US-Saudi relations declined to tensions, which were restored to normalization by the positive role of king Shaha Fahad.
Mushahid Hussain Syed also appreciated the positive approach of new crown prince of Saudi Arabia who had two important challenges ahead of him that include revival of the relation with US and West besides making OIC a dynamic and proactive organization.
President Pakistan Muslim League (PML-Q) Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain and President PML-Q (Punjab) and Chief Minister Punjab Chaudhry Pervez Ellahi condoled the tragic demise of Khadim Al-Harmin Al-Sharifin King Fahd Bin Abdul Aziz.
The PML-Q President said that Pakistani people and the government stand shoulder to shoulder with the members of the Royal Family and the people of Saudi Arabia in this hour of profound grief.
The Provincial Chief Minister termed the death a catastrophe and an irreparable loss of a great friend of Pakistan and that of the whole Muslim Ummah.
The two leaders prayed that may God rest the departed soul.
End.
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