Muzaffarabad, October 12, 2021 (PPI-OT): Former President of Azad Kashmir Sardar Masood Khan while describing senior politician late Sardar Sikandar Hayat Khan as an epoch-making personality, said that the political vacuum created by his death would not be filled for a long time. Paying homage to Sardar Sikandar Hayat Khan who passed away last Saturday, Sardar Masood Khan said that he had played a dynamic role in the politics of Azad Kashmir for over half a century.
“Sardar Sikandar was soft-spoken person and a champion of tolerance, but at the same time he had gained the reputation of strict administrator while implementing the decision and policies of the government during his tenure as prime minister and president of AJK. These were the very attributes that helped him achieve top leadership roles in the politics,” he said.
Sardar Sikandar Hayat Khan during his long political career not only held high government positions but he had also worked for the development of the liberated area, masses’ welfare and improvement of the economic conditions of the common man besides protecting the rights of the people, he said.
“Because of his passion for development and strengthening the democratic institutions, Sardar Sikandar was known as the hero of development and Slar-e-Jamhuriat (leader of democracy) among his political peers and followers,” former AJK President recalled.
Sardar Masood Khan said that Sardar Sikandar Hayat Khan was the Prime Minister in 2005 when a devastating earthquake hit AJK. During this difficult time, he not only encouraged the earthquake-stricken people but also supervised rescue and relief operations with the help of government of Pakistan and international aid agencies, and later established agencies such as ERRA and SEERA in the quake-hit areas to start reconstruction work.
He said Sardar Sikandar Hayat Khan will always be remembered for his role for laying foundation of basic infrastructure and for strengthening and consolidating the various state institutions. Sardar Masood Khan prayed that may Allah Almighty accept the efforts and services of Sardar Sikandar Hayat Khan and grant him the highest rank in jannah.
Meanwhile, the Vice-Chancellor of University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (UAJK), Prof Dr Muhammad Kaleem Abbasi, and members of the Directorate of Advance Studies and Research (DASR) paid glowing tributes to nuclear scientist Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan and former AJK President and Chancellor of the University, Sardar Sikandar Hayat Khan for their valuable and matchless services to the people and the nation.
Chaired by Vice-Chancellor and attended by Registrar of the university, Prof Dr Ayesha Sohail, Dean Faculty of Sciences, Prof Dr Ghulam Murtaza, Dean Faculty of Arts, Prof Dr Haroon-ur-Rashid, Associate Dean of Health Sciences, Dr Bashir -ur- Rehman Kanth, Chief Librarian, Prof Dr Nadeem Haider Bukhari, Director Finance, Prof Dr Muhammad Siddique Awan, Controller Examination, Prof Dr Wajid Aziz Lone, Director Advance Studies, Prof Dr Muhammad Rafique, Director Planning, Prof Dr Ansar Yaseen and other officials, the participants of the DASR meeting termed the death of Dr AQ Khan and Sardar Sikandar Hayat Khan as an irreparable national loss. They said that the vacuum created by their death would never be filled. The participants of the meeting prayed to Allah to rest the departed souls in eternal peace and give strength to their families to bear that loss.
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