Former Provincial President of ANP Passes Away

On Sunday, the former provincial president, belonging to the Awami National Party (ANP) passed away. Begum Naseem Wali Khan was the widow of Abdul Wali Khan, the late leader of the party. 

The veteran politician had long been suffering from various heart ailments and diabetes. She had been previously elected to the provincial assembly a total of three times. Her funeral prayers were scheduled to be held at 6pm at the Wali Bagh located in Charsadda. This was revealed by a spokesperson for the ANP, who also announced three days of mourning in the respective province for her death. 

Aimal Wali Khan, the incumbent provincial president of the ANP, expressed his grief on the occasion. He stated that all activities of the political party will remain suspended in the province. He went on to add how the name of the former provincial president of the ANP was synonymous with politics of resistance. 

The ANP president affirmed that the role of Begum Naseem in the participation of women in politics was an exemplary one. He remembered her with fondness, saying that she ran the party in unprecedented and difficult circumstances with grace. He ended his speech saying that a void had been created by the former president’s death in the politics of the country, which will not be filled. 

Soon after the passing of the party stalwart, condolences came in from various political figures. The President of Pakistan, Arif Alvi, also expressed his sadness over the death of the former provincial president of the ANP. He extended sympathies and support to her family and added that Begum Naseem’s political services will never be forgotten. 

The President went on to pray for the departed soul, saying that he hopes Allah will forgive her. 

Mahmood Khan, the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) also expressed deep sorrow over the demise of the late leader of the ANP. He further extended his sympathy and condolences to the family. 

Shahbaz Sharif, the President of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) took to the micro-blogging website, Twitter, to send out his condolences. He expressed that he was saddened by the passing of the Begum Naseem Wali Khan and that her services for the empowerment of women in the country will never be forgotten. 

The tragic loss was also spoken about by a Speaker of the National Assembly, Asad Qaiser, and the former President of the country, Asif Ali Zardari.