Former AJK President Raja Zulqarnain Khan Passes Away at 93

ISLAMABAD: Raja Mohammad Zulqarnain Khan, the former president of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), died on Saturday at a hospital in Islamabad after a brief illness. He was 93 years old.

The AJK government has declared Sunday a day of official mourning, during which the state flag will be flown at half-mast. Raja Zulqarnain will be laid to rest with full state honors in his native town of Kasguma, Bhimber district, following funeral prayers scheduled for 11 AM.

Born on March 15, 1933, Raja Zulqarnain was the son of Khan Bahadur Raja Mohammad Afzal Khan, an ICS officer who served in the administration of Maharaja Hari Singh. He received his early education in Srinagar and Delhi before attending Lawrence College, Ghora Gali, where he was contemporaries with notable figures such as former Prime Minister Zafarullah Jamali. After graduating from Government College, Lahore, in 1955, he ventured into the construction business, founding United Builders in Karachi in 1958, which undertook projects across Pakistan, AJK, the UAE, and Iraq.

Raja Zulqarnain’s passing marks the end of an era for AJK, where he was a prominent political figure. His contributions to the region’s development and governance will be remembered as the community reflects on his legacy. The official mourning period underscores the respect and recognition he garnered throughout his life.

In the coming days, the AJK government is expected to release further statements honoring his contributions and outlining any memorial services planned in his memory.