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World War II veteran fighter pilot to be buried in his native village near Abbottabad
ABBOTTABAD/ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi approved the state funeral for former Pakistan Air Chief (PAF) chief Muhammad Asghar Khan, who passed away at the age of 96 on Friday morning, in recognition of his services to the nation, the PM Office announced.
According to family, funeral prayers of the first native commander-in-chief of the Pakistan Air Force will be offered on Saturday in Abbottabad. While his burial will be held in his native village of Nawa Shehar near Abbottabad, according to his son Ali Asghar Khan.
Prime Minister Abbasi approved the state funeral in recognition of patriotic services and great contribution in building the Pakistan Air Force into one of the best air forces in the world. In a statement, Air Chief Marshal Sohail Khan said that Asghar Khan headed the PAF diligently and with courage.
“With his leadership capabilities, he played a vital role in transforming the PAF into a modern air force,” he said. “He (Asghar Khan) had a good character, great commitment and professional capability,” he added.
Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa paid tribute to the late fighter in a message posted on Twitter by military spokesman Asif Ghafoor, calling him iconic. “COAS expresses his grief on demise of Air Marshal Asghar Khan. An iconic soldier who will be remembered for his historic contributions for laying foundations of a strong Pakistan Air Force. May Allah bless his soul, Amen.”
