SRINAGAR :The Chaharam of former Jammu and Kashmir minister and senior political leader Ghulam Hassan Khan will be observed on Tuesday, September 1, in Shopian, as political leaders and associates continued to mourn his death.
Khan died in Shopian on August 29 after a prolonged illness. He was a former member of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly and had served as Minister of State for Social Welfare.
His death drew condolences from political leaders, including PDP president Mehbooba Mufti, who recalled her association with Khan and described him as a close friend and colleague of her father, former chief minister and PDP founder Mufti Mohammad Sayeed.
Mehbooba said she had met Khan recently and remembered his resilience despite his prolonged illness.
Former J&K Speaker Mubarak Gul also condoled Khan’s demise and expressed solidarity with the bereaved family.
Khan was elected to the Assembly from Shopian in 2002 on a PDP ticket. He subsequently served as Chairman of the Jammu and Kashmir Horticulture Planning and Marketing Corporation (JKHPMC) with the rank of Minister of State before being inducted into the Council of Ministers as Minister of State for Social Welfare.
He had remained closely associated with Mufti Mohammad Sayeed for several years and was active in the political affairs of South Kashmir.
Khan is particularly remembered in Shopian for his association with efforts that eventually led to the creation of the district as a separate administrative unit and for his role in issues concerning the Mughal Road, an important connectivity link between South Kashmir and the Jammu region.
During his public life, he was also associated with development-related work in Roads and Buildings, Jal Shakti, Health, Education and Horticulture sectors in Shopian.
According to reports, Khan later parted ways with the PDP and contested the 2008 Assembly election as an independent candidate.
His funeral was attended by people from different sections of society, with political leaders and local residents recalling his long association with Shopian and his engagement with public issues.
The Chaharam will be held on Tuesday, September 1, with family members and well-wishers expected to gather to offer prayers for the departed soul.
Khan’s family has prayed for Maghfirah for the deceased and Sabr-e-Jameel for his family, relatives, friends and all those mourning his death.q
