Musharraf praises King Fahd as Pakistan announces Seven-day Mourning
By Aziz Malik - Pakistan Times Federal Bureau Chief

ISLAMABAD: President General Pervez Musharraf paying rich tributes to Saudi King Fahd bin Abdul Aziz for his vital contribution to emancipation of the Muslim Ummah and consolidation of Pakistan-Saudi Arabia relations to new heights.

He was talking to newsmen at Chaklala Airbase Tuesday prior to his departure to attend funeral of Saudi King Fahd bin Abdul Aziz.

King Fahd was a great leader of the Muslim world and also a great friend of Pakistan -- he played an active role in the emancipation and betterment of the Muslim Ummah," the President said.

President Musharraf said during the tenure of King Fahd, relations between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia reached to a new peak.

"King Fahd left a legacy of contribution to the well-being of the Ummah and to strengthening Saudi-Pakistan relationship, which is so important to us," he added.

Bilateral Ties

The President looked forward to excellent relations between the two brotherly countries under King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz.

"His Majesty, King Abdullah, indeed, is like a brother to me. We already have close personal relations - he is a man who has the welfare of the Ummah and the Muslim world very close to his heart," he stated.

The President was confident of much enhanced understanding with Saudi Arabia in the years ahead and greater cooperation for the betterment of the Ummah.

PML President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, Foreign Minister Khurshid M Kasuri, Information Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed and Senator Maulana Sami ul Haq are accompanying the President.

Seven-day Mourning

Meanwhile, the government of Pakistan has announced seven-day mourning on the death of Khadim Al-Harmain Al-Sharifain King Fahd Bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud.

The decision was announced by Information and Broadcasting Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmad. He said the national flag would fly half-mast during these days.

President Gen Pervez Musharraf would attend the funeral and later Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz would also visit the Kingdom, the Minister said.

Meanwhile, President Musharraf and Prime Minister Aziz expressed deep grief over the passing away of King Fahd.

Message to King Abdullah

In a message addressed to King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud, Khadim Al-Harmain Al-Sharifain, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, President Musharraf paid tributes to the late king Fahd as an outstanding statesman who had dedicated his life for advancing international peace and understanding.

“It is with a profound and deep sense of loss that we in Pakistan have learnt of the passing away of Khadim Al-Harmain Al-Sharifain King Fahd Bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud.

“May Allah Almighty shower His blessings on the noble soul of our departed brother and may he rest in eternal peace,” he prayed in the message released by the foreign office.

The President said that the late King Fahd had dedicated himself to the promotion of the just causes of ummah and the well-being of Muslims around the world.

“His services for facilitating visits to the holy places and the Hajj had endeared him to the tens of millions of Muslims from around the world who perform the sacred duties every year.

“With the passing away of King Fahd, Pakistan has lost a true friend and a great supporter.

Tributes

“King Fahd had always shown special consideration and affection for the people of Pakistan which we deeply cherish, respect and admire. He extended strong support to Pakistan and stood by us in the hour of our need that we can never forget,” he said.

General Musharraf said the leadership and people of Pakistan always held the late king Fahd in the highest esteem and deeply mourned his passing away like that of a beloved member of the family.

“On this sad occasion, I convey to Your Majesty and the brotherly people of Saudi Arabia our most sincere and heartfelt condolences,” he said.

PM Shaukat Aziz

Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, in his condolence message to King Abdullah, termed it a great loss for Pakistan.

“It is with deep sadness and the sense of shock that we have learnt about the passing away of Khadim Al-Harmain Al-Sharifain King Fahd Bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud.”

The prime minister said that under his leadership Saudi Arabia was transformed into a great prosperous nation that had been a shinning example for other Muslim countries.

“We honour King Fahd as a special and true friend of Pakistan. He invariably showed deep care for progress and development of Pakistan and always stood by us in times of our need. The people of Pakistan will always remember him with a deep sense of gratitude, affection and respect.

“We will always cherish the memory of King Fahd as a great and wise leader who dedicated himself to international peace, understanding and harmony, the noble causes of the Islamic Ummah and the welfare and well-being of Islamic societies.”

Aziz said the people and government of Pakistan fully shared the grief of their Saudi brethren.

“May Allah Almighty bless his noble soul and may he rest in eternal peace. On this deeply sad occasion, on behalf of the government and people of Pakistan, I convey to Your Majesty and the brotherly people of Saudi Arabia our most profound and sincere condolences.”●