ISLAMABAD - Editor-in-chief and publisher of English daily Pakistan Observer Zahid Malik was laid to rest at Islamabad graveyard on Thursday.
His burial was largely attended by a cross-section of the people and prominent dignitaries including nuclear scientist Dr Qadeer Khan, Federal Information Minister senator Pervaiz Rashid, Adviser to the PM Senator Sartaj Aziz,Leader of the House in the Senate Raja Zafar-ul-Haq, former Foreign Minister Gohar Ayub Khan and ex-Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Chaudhry.
Deputy Chief Mission of Chinese Embassy Zhao Lijian also attended his funeral and laid floral wreath at his grave. While condoling with late Zahid Malik’s son Gauhar Zahid Malik he said they have lost a good friend who had outstanding contribution in promoting Sino-Pak brotherly relationship. He conveyed deep sense of grief and sorrow on behalf of the Chinese Ambassador Sun Weidong on his sad demise.
President Mamnoon Hussain also expressed grief and sorrow over the demise of Malik. In his message, he said the services of Zahid Malik in the field of journalism will be remembered for all times to come.
Zahid Malik passed away after protracted illness on Thursday morning.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif also expressed deep grief and sorrow over the sad demise of renowned journalist Zahid Malik.
In his condolence message, the Prime Minister prayed for eternal peace of the departed soul and grant courage to the bereaved family to bear this irreparable loss with fortitude.
Paying tributes to the services of Zahid Malik in the field of journalism, the Prime Minister said the Editor-in-Chief of daily Pakistan Observer remained committed to the freedom of Press and enlightened us with his valuable thoughts and experiences throughout his career.
Adviser on National History and Literary Heritage Irfan Siddiqui has also expressed grief and sorrow over the death of Zahid Malik. He said Zahid Malik was a true Pakistani who was immersed with the love for ideology of Pakistan.
Zahid Malik had recently returned from China where he had a lengthy treatment of cancer.
NA Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq and Deputy Speker Murtaza Javed Abbasi also condoled the sad demise of senior journalist and Editor in Chief Daily Pakistan Observer Zahid Malik.
In their separate condolence messages to his sons, the Speaker and Deputy Speaker offered their heartfelt condolence over the sad demise. While paying tributes to the services of Zahid Malik, they said that he played a vital role for freedom of expression in the country.
They said that the journalist fraternity could not overcome this loss and his services will be remembered in years to come. They prayed to Almighty Allah to rest the departed soul in eternal peace and grant the fortitude and patience to bereaved family to bear this irreparable loss with equanimity.
