LAHORE - Condolences kept on pouring in on Thursday over the demise of Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz.
PML president Ch Shujaat Hussain and senior party leader Ch Pervez Elahi said that Shah Abdullah had a special place in his heart for Pakistanis and whole nation was grieved over his demise. They shared the sorrow of the royal family and the Saudi people on this loss. They said the deceased was a true well-wisher of Pakistan even before he was enthroned to the kingship.
“Pakistani people will never forget him and also what he did for this country,” they added.
Central Chairman of Pakistan Ulema Council and President Wafaqul Madarass Pakistan, Maulana Tahir had termed death of King Abdulllah a great loss of Muslim Umma. He said the services of the deceased for expansion of khurmain shrifain will be long remembered. On the instructions of Maulana Tahir, dua was offered in dozens of mosques of the city.
Punjab Ameer of Markazi Jamiyat Ahle Hadith Pakistan, Prof Abdul Sattar Hamid, and Nazim-e-Aala Punjab Mian Muhammad Mahmood Abbas praised the efforts of King Abdullah for Ummah. They said that the deceased was a true friend of Pakistan and his death was also a great loss to this country. They also announced to hold his funeral prayers in absence of at mosques throughout Punjab on Sunday (January 25).
Prof Hafiz Muhamamd Saeed, Hafiz Abdul Rehman Makki, Maulana Ameer Hamza, Hafiz Khalid Waleed and other leaders of Jamaatud Dawa also expressed their sorrow and grief over the death of King Abdullah. During Shah’s period, Pakistan-Saudi relations were markedly cemented, they added.
King Abdullah came to the Saudi throne in 2005. The same year in October Pakistan came under heavy earthquake and the Saudi government spared no effort to help Pakistan in this hour of trial. Later, the country was swept by the devastating floods in 2011 and in 2013 and Saudi kingdom again helped Pakistan through finances and relief goods. Saudi government launched different projects in agricultural and livestock sectors under his leadership.
King Abdullah had visited Pakistan in February 2006 which was first every visit of any Saudi King in 30 years.
In a condolence message, the chief minister said that in the death of Khadim-ul-Harmain Al-Sharifain Shah Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz, Pakistan has lost a great friend. He said that late Shah Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz was not only a great leader of Islamic world but had always supported Pakistan in every hour of need and had great love and affection for the people of Pakistan.
He said that people of Pakistan equally share the grief of the people and royal family of Saudi Arabia. Shahbaz Sharif further said that he was deeply grieved over the sad demise of Khadim-ul-Harmain Al-Sharifain Shah Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz.
The chief minister also attended Nimaz-e-Janaza of Khadim-ul-Harmain Al-Sharifain Shah Abdullah Bin Abdu Aziz and expressed condolences to the royal family. He cancelled all his engagements and proceeded to Saudi Arabia.