Condolence reference for departed soul of Abrar Shah held

ISLAMABAD - Federal Minister for Sports Engr Shaukat Ullah has paid glowing tributes to Olympian boxer Abrar Shah, who was martyred in Quetta, and described him as national hero, he was speaking at a condolence reference organized by Rawalpindi Islamabad Sports Journalist Association in his honour here at Pakistan Sports Board Jinnah Library Hall on Wednesday. He said the government will soon arrest his killers and award exemplary punishment to them. He promised Rs 5 million financial help to Abrar Shahs family. I will talk to the Prime Minister in this regard and if nothing was done I will go door to door to collect money for Abrar's family, he added. He expressed these views as chief guest of the reference. He also promised to visit Abrar's house in Quetta in near future. Director General Pakistan Sports Board, Syed Amir Hamza Gilani, ex-DG Zakir Hussain Syed, Brig( Retd) Arif Mehmood Siddiqui, DG Nust, Chairman RISJA, Abdul Mohi Shah and Secretary RISJA, Nasir Aslam Raja also shared their views on the occasion. This reference was organized jointly by RISJA and PSB. DG PSB, has promised to give overdue promotion to Abrar Shah from the day of Departmental Promotion Committee's recommendation and will try to clear all of his dues as early as possible, he said. DG, Nust Brig (Retd) Arif Mehmood while speaking at the occasion said; if the govt continues to ignore sportsmen and officials, the players will stop playing for their country. He further urged the Pakistan Boxing Federation to name National Boxing championship after Abrar Shah as Abrar Shah Boxing Award. He also demanded opening of a boxing academy in Balochistan to promote and polish pugilists of the area. Abdul Mohi Shah, Chairman RISJA paid glowing tributes to Abrar Shah and said he was not only an excellent boxer but also a perfect human being and was very popular among the journalists too. Former Davis Cupper and recipient of Pride of Performance award Hameedul Haq, Col Qaiser Mustafa, Secretary Army Sports, PSB officials along with a large players and others were also present on the occasion.

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