ISLAMABAD - A condolence reference in memory of late Senator A Rehman Malik, former inte-rior minister and senior leader of the Pakistan People’s Party, was held at the National Press Club Islamabad yesterday The condolence reference was attended by the people from various walks of life including Minister of State for Law and Justice Malik Shahadat Awan, Secretary General Pakistan People’s Party Parliamentarians Farhatullah Babar, Secretary Information PPP Faisal Karim Kundi, Deputy Head of Mission of the Iraqi Embassy Suleiman Khalid, sons of Rehman Malik—Ali Rehman Malik and Umar Rehman Malik—and others who had remained associated with late A Rehman Malik. In their speeches, the participants paid homage to Senator A. Rehman Malik for his courageous and outstanding services he rendered to the country and its people, especially for his role in the war on terror and for raising voice against Indian unprecedented brutalities against the oppressed people of Kashmir. Speaking at the condolence reference, Secretary General PPP Parliamentarians Farhatullah Babar said that late Senator A. Rehman Malik’s services to the country and nation are unforgettable. “We must remember the personalities who served the country and the nation,” he said. He said that Rehman Malik was a self-made man and also brave and whenever there was any untoward incident of terrorism he would reach the spot immedi-ately and fearlessly. He spoke out against the Taliban and called them Zali-man. Farhatullah Babar narrated the incident when few leaders of the PPP made a complaint against Rehman Malik to Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto and with-in five minutes she asked me to notify the name of Rehman Malik as a member of the Central Executive Committee of the PPP, which shows the trust of Benazir Bhutto to him. He said “people like Rehman Malik born rare who made their name in the history through tireless struggle”. Minister of State for Law Senator Shahadat Awan while addressing the condo-lence reference for Rehman Malik said Rehman Malik was a great man who remem-bered his friends. He said Rehman Malik exposed the tyranny of Indian Prime Minister Modi. and Indian brutalities against oppressed people of Kashmir to the world through his speeches, books and writings.
“Rehman Malik raised his voice for Kashmiris in every forum,” he said. He said that he was the most active parliamentarian who spoke on every issue of public importance and the Senate Standing Committee on Interior he chaired was declared the most active and best committee among all others.
Deputy Head of Mission of Iraq’s Embassy Suleiman Khalid said that services of Late Abdul Rehman Malik will be remembered. “Rehman Malik was a good poli-tician, friend and thinker,” he said.
Central Secretary Information Faisal Karim Kundi said Rehman Malik was a leader of the PPP who always stood with the philosophy of Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and Shaheed Benazir Bhutto. “Rehman Malik’s services to the nation and the party are unforgettable,” he said.
Faisal Karim Kundi said at a time when terrorism was on the rise in the coun-try, Rehman Malik fought it on the front lines fearlessly. “I ask the sons of late Rehman Malik to come to the party and continue the legacy of your father who served the party matchlessly,” he said. He said that Rehman Malik was the asset of Pakistan People’s Party and his death has caused irreparable loss to the party. He said that he was an elder and a good friend who always loved the people of KP very much and received them with great love and respect.
Umar Rehman Malik, son of late Rehman Malik said it was good to see his fa-ther’s friends together. “We still can’t believe that our father has left us forever,” he said. He said that his father always respected the freedom of press and always raised his voice for freedom of press. “I never saw my fa-ther expressing pride on the important portfolios he had held but always felt pride for writing books and columns” he said. He said that all his life, he carried forward the philosophy and stood steadfast with his party till his last breathe. Umar Rehman Malik said “no threat or greed could take my father away from Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto and her party”.
Ali Rehman Malik, son of late Rehman Malik thanked the friends and National Press Club for holding the condolence reference for his father Former Interi-or Minister Abdul Rehman Malik. He said that both brothers will carry forward his legacy of serving the country and its people. He said that they will soon launch their father book which he had written in his life but couldn’t pub-lish. He said that they will always stand by their party- PPP.
President National Press Club Anwar Raza also paid tribute to late Interior Minister Abdul Rehman Malik and said that he always raised his voice for the freedom of press and always stood by journalists in thick and thin. The con-dolence reference was also addressed by senior journalists Mohsin Raza, Shoaib Bhatta, Khushdal Khan, late Rehman Malik’s aide Riaz Ali Turi, his nephew Waqas Malik and others.