ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday postponed all official engagements, including the federal cabinet meeting, to express condolences and solidarity with Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Gen Asim Munir over the passing of his mother.

According to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), PM Shehbaz visited Army House in Rawalpindi to extend his sympathies to the army chief.

According to a message received from military authorities, the funeral prayer of Gen Munir’s mother was offered on Tuesday at Race Course Ground, Rawalpindi, at 9:30pm, led by the COAS himself.

The funeral was attended by President Asif Ali Zardari, PM Shehbaz, Senate Chairman Yousuf Raza Gilani, National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, services chiefs, former army chiefs Ashfaq Parvez Kayani and Qamar Javed Bajwa, federal cabinet members and other senior political and military figures.

PM postpones cabinet meeting, extends sympathies to Gen Asim Munir

Several political leaders and officials issued messages of condolence over the passing of Gen Munir’s mother. They included the president, PM, Mr Gilani, Mr Sadiq, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, PML-N President Nawaz Sharif, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, Sharif Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, PPP leader Sherry Rehman and Communications Minister Aleem Khan.

In a statement, President Zardari exp­r­essed sorrow over the loss and extended solidarity with the bereaved family.

“We share the grief of Gen Syed Asim Munir over his mother’s passing. My heartfelt condolences go out to the bereaved family during this difficult time,” President Zardari said, praying for the departed soul.

PM Shehbaz also extended his heartfelt condolences and expressed solidarity with the bereaved family in this hour of grief, according to a PM Office press release. He also prayed to Allah Almighty for the eternal peace of the departed soul.

Mr Gilani expressed sympathy with Gen Asim and his family and prayed to Allah Almighty to rest the departed soul in eternal peace and grant strength to the bereaved family to bear this loss.

Mr Sadiq expressed deep sorrow and offered condolences to the army chief’s family. “Parents are a priceless gift of nature; their separation is an irreparable loss and a great shock,” he stated.

JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman also expressed his sorrow, stressing that the death of a kind and loving person like a mother was certainly a great shock. “There is no substitute for a mother. May Allah Almighty grant patience to the family of Gen Asim Munir,” he added.

The PPP chairman described the passing of a mother as “the world’s biggest grief” and extended his condolences to Gen Munir and his family.

Meanwhile, a source in the PMO said the federal cabinet meeting is now expected to take place today (Wednesday) as the prime minister shelved all his engagements on Tuesday.

Published in Dawn, March 26th, 2025