Former prime minister Yousaf Raza Gilani meets Ghulam Ahmed Bilour in a condolence visit to the Bilour House. PHOTO: MUHAMMAD IQBAL/EXPRESS
The Awami National Party on Monday announced that slain minister Bashir Bilour’s son Haroon Bilour will be his father’s successor and contest elections from the KPK-III constituency.
The decision was announced during a Qul held for Bashir Bilour. Barrister Haroon Bilour, who has served as a nazim for Town-I of the provincial capital, said leaders like his late father are not born every day.
He said he would try to fulfil the responsibilities vested upon him, adding that he was indebted to the provincial government for announcing a day of mourning over the killing of his father.
Former prime minister Yousaf Raza Gilani, K-P Governor Masood Kausar, Chief Minister Amir Haider Khan Hoti, ANP Chief Asfandyar Wali Khan, Qaumi Watan Party chief Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao, and federal and provincial ministers attended the Soyem along with party workers to express solidarity with the Bilour family.
Former Senate chairman Wasim Sajjad, JUI-F central secretary general Abdul Ghafoor Haider, JI former chief Qazi Hussain Ahmad, senators Shahi Syed, Afrasiab Khattak and Haji Muhmmad Adeel and Peshawar High Court Chief Justice Dost Muhammad Khan were also present on the occasion.
Bashir Bilour was targeted in a suicide attack on December 22 in Dhaki Nalbandi, as he was coming out of a political convention.
He was said to the face of the K-P assembly, and actively voiced concerns in all matters of legislation. A vocal critic of the Taliban, Bilour eventually paid the ultimate price for his political ideals.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 25th, 2012.
COMMENTS (6)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ
I'm very embrace by the comments that people have made about bashir bilour and his son; Haroon. I don't know why our people can only think negative; I guess this is our society. Always pick negativity first. Everybody knows that Bashir Bilour was always the first one to reach everywhere, whenever a blast or killings had happened. He knew very well that the Talibans are after him. There were three suicide attempts on him but still he kept on facing the dangers to his life. He tried to keep the federation intact. All his family members knew that his life is in danger. Forgot sake people appreciate the brave man. Even the President of Pakistan gave him a Medal of Shajahat. All over the world the son or daughter carries the legacy of his or her father, if the person has the interest in whatever field the father is. So what's wrong with that??
@A Khan: They might get sued by the British National Party
ANP should change its name to BNP - Bilour National Party.
@naeem khan You absolutely right, it's going on n on since 1947 and no end in foresight. It's same what just happen in Punjab a new governor, his family background keep providing him one potion after another, this curse must end.
The dynasty goes on and on, for these people political parties are like their fiefdoms and ticket to amass wealth. If his father was assassinated which is deplorable by all means but who gives the right to Wali Khan family to pass on the throne to his son. Pakistan will never ever progress and be a progressive state as long these political parties keep on propagating the dynasties. People wake up and stand up against these dynasties, there is no room for these people in the 21st century. Don't complain when these same very people rule you and fleece you to your poverty. Tell me if Wali Khan or even Bilour Brothers has done anything for the Pukhtuns, enlighten me if any hospital, school or even orphanage has been built by these families with their own millions for the people of KP.I don't see any.