ISLAMABAD, Sept 27: People belonging to various sections of the society, including diplomats, politicians, parliamentarians, federal ministers and lawyers, have expressed their sorrow over the death of veteran politician Nawabzada Nasrullah Khan, who died of heart attack in the small hours of Saturday.

Ambassador of Iran Mohammad Ebrahim Taherian condoled the death of the Nawabzada Nasrullah Khan.

In his message of condolence, the ambassador expressed his heartfelt condolences on the demise of the veteran politician.

Former AJK President Sardar Abdul Qayyum Khan expressed his heartfelt condolences and grief over the sad demise of the veteran politician.

In a condolence message to the family of the late Nawabzada he eulogized the services rendered by the great champion of democracy in the politics of Pakistan.

The leaders of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), in a joint condolence message, paid rich tributes to the late Nawabzada for the cause of democracy in the country. Terming his death a great loss to the democratic forces, the PPP leaders vowed to continue the mission of the late ARD chief.

Those who sent the condolence message were PPP secretary general Jahangir Badar, ARD deputy information secretary Munir Ahmed, Senator Mian Raza Rabbani, Shah Mehmood Qureshi, former interior minister Naseerullah Khan Babar, Syed Khursheed Shah, Senator Farhatullah Khan Babar, Raja Pervez Ashraf, Naheed Khan, Manzoor Wassan, Naveed Qamar, Chaudhry Manzoor, Nayyar Bokhari, Syed Qaim Ali Shah, Qasim Zia, Khawaja Mohammad Khan Hoti.

In his condolence message, National Assembly Speaker Chaudhry Amir Hussain paid glowing tributes to the services rendered by Nawabzada for strengthening of democracy. He said the deceased was great patriot who spent an active life to pursue his principles in politics.

Foreign Minister, Khurshid Mahmood Kasuri said the late Nawabzada played an important role for development of democratic institutions.

Defence Minister Rao Sikandar Iqbal, in a message to family members, eulogized the services rendered by the “great champion of democracy” in politics. The minister said he had close association of 35 years with Nawabzada Nasrullah Khan and considered his demise a personal loss.

Minister for Water and Power Aftab Sherpao, before his departure to Geneva, convened a special meeting of the party parliamentarians and workers on Saturday to condole the demise of the late Nawabzada.

In a statement, former senator and PML-N leader M. Hamza said it would take a long time to fill the vacuum created by the death of the veteran politician. He said the Nawabzada was a chapter of the country’s political history. Mr Hamza said the veteran politician had devoted his whole life to promotion of democracy and institutions and his services would always be remembered.

The PML-N leader said that Nawabzada bravely struggled against all dictators.

The office-bearers of the High Court Bar Association, Rawalpindi, expressing their deep condolence on the death of Nawabzada Nasrullah Khan, termed it a “national tragedy”.

President of the bar association Chaudhry Mohammad Tariq, vice-president Tariq Pervez Janjua, secretary general Shah Khawar and joint secretary G M Shah said late Nawabzada had always struggled for the restoration of true democracy in the country.

Those condoling the demise of elderly and veteran politician, included Speaker National Assembly Chaudhry Amir Hussain, federal ministers, parliamentarians, political leaders and religious scholars.

Minister for Food, Agriculture and Livestock, Sardar Yar Muhammad Rind expressed his condolence and grief over the demise of veteran political leader and advocate of democracy.

Ahmed Ali Minister for Communications expressed his heartfelt condolence and grief over the sad demise of veteran political leader and democracy lover Nawabzada Nasrullah Khan.

He said that the Nawabzada was an icon of political excellence and his services in the field of politics were match less and that the vacuum created by his sad demise would never be filled.

The chief of Islami Tehrik Pakistan and central vice president of Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal Allama Syed Sajid Ali Naqvi described Nawabzada as the leading politician and senior statesman of the country.