Veteran Kashmiri leader and freedom fighter Syed Ali Shah Geelani passed away at the age of 92 on Wednesday in Indian-Occupied Kashmir. He was the former head of All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) but quit politics last year in June. Geelani passed away at his home in Srinagar after a prolonged illness. He had been under house arrest for the last 12 years after leading several anti-India protests.
Prime Minister Imran Khan tweeted that he was “saddened to learn of the passing of Kashmiri freedom fighter Syed Ali Geelani”. PM Khan said that we in Pakistan salute his courageous struggle and remember his words: “Hum Pakistani hain aur Pakistan Humara hai.” He announced that the Pakistan flag will fly at half mast and “we will observe a day of official mourning”.
DG ISPR tweeted a condolence message from Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa, which said that Geelani’s “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.”
Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry, National Security Adviser Moeed Yusuf, Human Rights Minister Shireen Mazari and several other Pakistani leaders expressed their grief and paid tributes to Geelani.
