Excelsior Correspondent
KARGIL, Feb 13: Former ministers Peerzada Ghulam Ahmad Shah and Qamar Ali Akhoon passed away today after prolonged illness.
Qamar Ali Akhoon represented Kargil in the erstwhile Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly and served in several key ministerial and administrative roles during his long public career. He was closely associated with the J&K National Conference and had been serving as its additional general secretary since 2023.
In 2014, he was appointed as Advisor to the Chief Minister of J&K while also being a sitting legislator representing the 49-Kargil constituency. He was appointed the first Chief Executive Councillor and Chairman of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC), Kargil, following its formation in 2002.
Former Forest Minister and former MLA from Qazigund, Peerzada Ghulam Ahmad Shah, also passed away today in Jammu. He was a respected political figure in the Qazigund constituency and was widely known for his public outreach and contribution to social and political affairs in the region.
During his tenure as MLA, he worked on various developmental initiatives and public welfare issues concerning his constituency. As Forest Minister, he played a significant role in matters related to forest conservation, environmental protection, and administrative reforms within the department. He was the uncle of the sitting MLA from Qazigund, Peerzada Feroze Ahmad Shah.
Lieutenant Governor of J&K Manoj Sinha has condoled the passing away of Qamar Ali Akhoon. He conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family in this hour of grief.
Speaker, Jammu Kashmir Legislative Assembly Abdul Rahim Rather, expressed profound grief over the demise of Akhoon. He said that Akhoon was a widely respected leader and capable administrator who was committed to the well-being and welfare of the people of J&K in general and Kargil in particular.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also expressed profound grief over the demise of former ministers, recalling their contributions towards uplifting people’s lives and stating that they served the public with honesty, dedication and commitment. Omar extended his sympathies to the bereaved family members and prayed for strength and courage for them to bear this irreparable loss.
Meanwhile, the Legislative Assembly mourned the demise of Peerzada Ghulam Ahmad Shah. Informing the house, the Chairman Mubarik Gul paid rich tributes to the departed leader. The House also observed two minute silence in respect of the former Minister.
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