City lays to rest youth killed in Iran port strike

Funeral held in Mauripur; leaders call for diplomacy amid rising tensions

KARACHI:

A young Karachi resident, Yasir Khan, who was killed in reported Israeli and American missile strikes at Iran's Bandar Abbas port, was laid to rest in Mauripur on Wednesday night, as grief and calls for restraint echoed across the city.

His body, brought earlier to Karachi, was shifted from the Edhi Foundation morgue to his residence in Mauripur after ritual washing and shrouding. Funeral prayers were offered after Isha at a local Eidgah, attended by family members, relatives, political figures, and residents of the area.

Among those present were Member of National Assembly Qadir Patel, Sindh Assembly member Asif Khan, and Jamaat-e-Islami's Monem Zafar Khan.

The deceased was later buried at Manora graveyard, with prayers offered for his forgiveness.

Sindh Governor Nihal Hashmi had earlier visited the morgue to receive the body and convey condolences on behalf of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, assuring the family of full support.

Speaking to the media, Qadir Patel described Yasir as a martyr who "sacrificed his life and brought pride to Pakistan," noting that he had gone to Iran nine months ago in search of employment. He stressed that further loss of innocent lives must be avoided and called for resolving the conflict through diplomacy, expressing hope in Pakistan's diplomatic efforts.

Yasir's father thanked officials, including the chief ministers of Sindh and Balochistan, as well as Qadir Patel, for their assistance in bringing his son's body back. However, he appealed to the Sindh government to support Yasir's widow and child, whose lives have been deeply affected by the tragedy.

Meanwhile, three other Karachi youths injured in the same attack remain in Taftan due to incomplete documentation and are expected to return once formalities are completed.

Leaders from Jamaat-e-Islami strongly condemned the strikes, urging the international community to take notice and calling for dialogue to end the conflict.

They also questioned global institutions over their silence.

Yasir Khan's coffin was draped in the national flag, and he was laid to rest with full honour, remembered by many as a victim of a distant conflict that has left a profound impact back home.