A grand and befitting funeral was held at the sprawling Race Course Park of Lahore for Nawab Ashiq Hussain Qureshi on Saturday morning who had suddenly and surprisingly expired on Friday.
Ashiq Qureshi, whom I met many years ago in London through another close friend late Khalid Hassan, when he was serving in the foreign service. He was a keen cricketer which brought him close to Khalid Hassan and subsequently to me. After my return to Lahore after a prolonged stay of nearly three decades in Karachi, our relations became even closer involving me in his passion to develop and promote veteran Cricket.
His sudden and unexpected passing away saddened a large number of his friends well wishers and naturally family friends. Almost anybody or everybody who matters was present at his funeral including Punjab Governor, Ch. Sarwar,Provincial Ministers ,Senior Officials and almost any one or everyone who matters in the Punjab including the Chairman PCB Ehsan Mani, Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, who is his cousin was also there.
Ashiq Hussain, currently the Chief Executive of Pakistan Veteran Cricket Association, was the son of former Governor of Punjab Nawab Sadiq Hussain Qureshi, who was also a former President of Pakistan Hockey Federation, during Z.A. Bhutto era.
Ashiq a former bowler, was also a close friend of Prime Minister Imran Khan. A former Pakistan Army athlete and a former national U-19 cricketer, Ashiq Qureshi also played a vital role in the development.
