JEDDAH — Members of the subcontinent community paid tributes to social worker and Pakistan Tahreek-e-Insaf's (PTI) founding member and Punjab former president Ahsan Rasheed, who passed away on Tuesday after a protracted illness. He was a top leader and close aid of Imran Khan. Rasheed, an engineer by profession, was the chief of a Saudi company before joining the PTI. Although Rasheed suffered from heart disease and cancer, he remained active in party's activities till the 2013 general elections. As his illness advanced, Rasheed had to disassociate himself from politics for the past several months. In Saudi Arabia, Rasheed played a very active role in promoting cricket by sponsoring Jeddah, Riyadh and Madinah's cricket associations. Mohammed Iqbal, president of Jeddah Cricket Association (JCA) expressed deep grief over the sad demise of Rasheed. He said his services would always be remembered. Aijaz Ahmed Khan, vice president of JCA, said: “Ahsan was a very noble and honest person. He always took great interest in social welfare works and promotion of Saudi cricket.” Mohammed Nawaz Janjua, press and publication secretary of Pakistan Welfare Society (PWS), said: “Ahsan Rasheed was a patriotic Pakistani. He was a true social leader and was always present to serve the destitute and poor people. When he was in Saudi Arabia, he did many humanitarian projects for the underprivileged and needy persons of the community. May Allah grant him Jannat ul Firdous and bestow patience to his family and concerned friends. It is a big loss to PTI.” Shahid Naeem, president of Pakistan Journalist Forum (PJF), said: “It is a great loss indeed. We have lost a true Pakistani. He was a mentor, a guide, and a true friend.” Maqbool-ur-Rehman Abbasi, journalist and member of (PJF), said: “He was an Anjaman, a school, a madrassah, and a hospital.”
