Pakistan to observe mourning day over demise of Kashmiri leader Syed Ali Geelani

Following the sad demise of veteran Kashmiri leader Syed Ali Geelani, Prime Minister Imran Khan has announced that Pakistan's flag will fly at half-mast and a day of official mourning will be observed across the country.

"Deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Kashmiri freedom fighter Syed Ali Geelani who struggled all his life for his people & their right to self-determination," the premier wrote on his official Twitter handle on Wednesday.

The premier said that Geelani suffered incarceration and torture by the occupying Indian state but remained resolute. "We in Pakistan salute his courageous struggle & remember his words: 'Hum Pakistani hain aur Pakistan Humara hai'," he wrote in another tweet.

Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa also expressed his grief on the sad demise of Kashmiri leader, terming Geelani an icon of Kashmir's freedom movement.

“His lifelong sacrifices & ceaseless struggle symbolises indomitable resolve of Kashmiris against Indian occupation. His dream & his mission will live on until People of IIOJ&K win their right of self determination," the army chief was quoted as saying by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said that Geelani fought for the rights of Kashmiris till the very end.

"Pakistan mourns the loss of Syed Ali Shah Geelani, torchbearer of the Kashmir freedom movement. Shah Sb fought for the rights of Kashmiris till the very end, under house arrest of Indian occupation. May he rest in peace and may his dream of freedom come true," Qureshi wrote on Twitter.

Prime Minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir Sardar Abdul Qayyum Niazi tweeted that Geelani dedicated his life for the freedom of Kashmir.

Former chief minister Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) Mehbooba Mufti expressed her sadness over the passing of Geelani.

"We may not have agreed on most things but I respect him for his steadfastness & standing by his beliefs. May Allah Ta’aala grant him jannat & condolences to his family & well wishers," she wrote on her Twitter handle.

Other members of the government including Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry and Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed also paid their tribute to the veteran Kashmiri leader.