Former J&K minister passes away in Kashmir

SRINAGAR :  Former Jammu and Kashmir minister Sonaullah Dar passed away here last evening after a brief illness. The 85-year-old leader breathed his last at the S K Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS), where he was admitted about two weeks ago.    He is survived by his wife and four sons.
Dar had served Minister of Indudustries and Commerce in a coalition government of Awami National Conference (ANC) and  Congress.     A resident of Larwoo Prichoo in south Kashmir district of Pulwama, Dar was elected as MLA from Pulwama constituency in 1972 and 1983.
He unsuccessfully contested assembly elections in 2008 and 2014.    Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed has expressed grief over the sad demise of Dar.
Paying rich tributes, he described Dar as a noble person who worked tirelessly for uplift of weaker and socially-deprived sections of the society, an official statement said late last evening.
The Chief Minister conveyed sympathies to the bereaved family and prayed for peace to the departed soul.    A number of political, social and religious leaders have also expressed grief over his demise. (AGENCIES)