Srinagar, April 09 (KNS): Apni Party Vice President Zaffar Iqbal Manhas on Friday expressed deep shock over the demise of former Kashmir University Vice Chancellor Prof. Riyaz Punjabi who after a brief illness passed away at his Delhi residence on Thursday.

Commemorating his three decades old association with Prof. Riyaz Punjabi, Zaffar Manhas said that he was a great friend and an ardent well-wisher with whom he had the honour to work as Secretary in Regional Autonomy Committee.

“The news of his untimely death is exceedingly agonizing. Just a week back, I was supposed to meet him in Delhi but due to his intense medical condition the proposed meet had to be postponed. Even after that he called on the phone and said ‘Zaffar Bhai! We shall meet next time God-willing.’ But I didn’t know that he was bidding me farewell for the last time,” he said.

Furthermore, he expressed his profound condolences with the bereaved family in this time of agony and immense distress especially with Mrs. Taranum Reyaz.

“I pray to Almighty Allah to grant eternal peace to the departed soul and give courage to the bereaved family to bear this irreparable loss,” he prayed.(KNS)