Senior ANP leader and former federal minister Mohammad Afzal Khan Lala (Timgha-e-Shujaat) passed away due to protected illness in Islamabad on Sunday. He was 90. Due to ailment, he was shifted to Combined Military Hospital (CMH) by a navy aeroplane to the capital where he died on Sunday morning.
His funeral prayer was offered on Sunday afternoon and laid to rest in his ancestral village, Darshakhela, Matta, Swat.
The funeral prayer besides thousands of people was also attended by Corps Commander, Peshawar, Lieutenant General Hidayat-ur-Rehman, Major General Nadir Khan, Advisor to PM, Engineer Amir Muqaam, ANP leaders Haji Ghulam Ahmad Bilour and Haji Mohammad Adeel. Later, he was laid to rest in his ancestral graveyard.
On this occasion, special security arrangements were made and helicopters were monitoring the site of funeral prayer and surrounding area. The local residents had announced three-day mourning over his death.
During his long political carrier, Afzal Khan, popularly known as Khan Lala in district Swat remained provincial president of the ANP. However, in 1990s he developed differences with the ANP leadership and formed his own political party and in alliance with the PPP was elected to National Assembly in general elections of 1990 and 1993. He was a federal minister for Kashmir Affairs in Benazir Bhutto cabinet and on dissolution of the National Assembly by the then President Farooq Ahmad Leghari he also joined the Meraj Khalid caretaker setup.
Meanwhile, ANP chief, Asfandyar Wali Khan has expressed profound grief and sorrow over the death of Afzal Khan Lala, saying the deceased was a great asset of Pakhtuns and his death had rendered the ANP orphan.
APP adds: Afzal Khan Lala was born at Darshakhela area of Tehsil Matta, Swat in 1926. He served as federal minister, deputy opposition leader in National Assembly and provincial minister. He was also a renowned lawyer and author.
He survived many life attempts and also lost family member during the period of tension in Swat. He was awarded "Tamghae Shujaat" for his bravery and services. Afzal Khan allies Afzal Khan Lala and Khan Lala (big brother), was the one who defies Swat Taliban and was on most wanted list.
Khan Lala also survived three attacks. He was the first favouring military action against militants.
Veteran ethnic Pashtun politician Muhammad Afzal Khan also refused to leave home in Swat, even though the Taliban had repeatedly tried to kill him.
Swat was, until recently, one of Pakistan's top tourist destinations, but the Taliban had all but taken over the scenic mountain valley, imposing their severe interpretation of Islamic law and slaughtering opponents with impunity. Many families had fled, while residents say many policemen had either deserted or simply refused to act against the Taliban, who have shot, blown up or beheaded numerous officers. But Khan Lala, a former cabinet minister known as Afzal Lala, or Afzal the Elder, has chosen to stay on to try to rally resistance to the Taliban.
He once said: "I'm from this soil. It's my home. My tribe is here. I want to live among my people. I won't run away."
Khan was in favour of military action against the Taliban and once he said, talks with militants should be only if they laid down their arms.
Khan Lala, who lives in a well-guarded house surrounded by fruit trees, said he had faith. "Being a Muslim, I have faith in Allah. Nothing could happen to me no matter if Fazlullah puts my name on his list or not," he said.
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