Veteran politician Prof Ghafoor Ahmed passes away

KARACHI: Veteran politician and Naib Amir of Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Pakistan Prof Ghafoor Ahmed passed away after a protracted illness here on Wednesday. He was 85. Prof Gafoor was born on 26 June 1927 in Barely, British India.

The JI leader earned Masters Degree in Commerce from Lucknow University in 1948 and later completed a course in Industrial Accounts and thus won the fellowship of Institute of Cost and Management Accountants of Pakistan.

He became the member of Jamaat-e-Islami in 1950 and held key positions. He served as JI general secretary from 1988 to 90. The veteran politician was also elected as a member of the Karachi Metropolitan Corpora-tion (KMC) in 1958. He was also elected as Member of National Assembly in 1970 and 1977 from Karachi.

He served as secretary general of PNA in 1977-78 and also remained member of the PNA team that undertook crucial negotiation with then prime minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto.

Prof Ghafoor also served as federal industries minister during 1978-79. He was counted amongst the most respectable politicians of Pakistan.

Altaf condoles demise: The chief of Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) Altaf Hussain has expressed his profound grief and sorrow on the passing away of the senior most leader and Naib Amir of the Jamaat-i-Islami Prof Ghafoor Ahmed. Paying rich tributes to late Prof Ghafoor Ahmed, Hussain said that he was a great politician who played an important role in the national politics.

Hussain said, “Prof Ghafoor did not let go of moderation and honesty till his last breath. He was a man of strong moral fibre, steadfast modesty and had a deep understanding of political issues.”

Hussain said that with the death of Prof Ghafoor Ahmed, Pakistan has lost an honest, dignified and moderate politician. “I am personally grieved at his death, and every worker of the MQM is in a state of shock at the news of his death.”
Hussain offered heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family members, relatives, and leaders and workers of the JI.

“I pray Almighty Allah to shower His blessings on the soul of Prof Ghafoor and cover him with divine forgiveness. I pray Allah to give courage and patience to the grieving family to bear this irreparable loss.”
staff report/agencies

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