BAGH (Kashmir English): District Administration Bagh has declared a local holiday in Bagh district on Thursday, July 10, 2025, to mark the annual death anniversary of Mujjahid-E-Awal Sardar Abdul Qayum Khan, former President and Prime Minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
According to the notification issued by Deputy Commissioner Bagh, all government offices, autonomous and semi-autonomous bodies, and educational institutions (public and private) will remain closed on that day, except for essential services departments.
Sardar Abdul Qayum Khan passed away on July 10, 2015, at the age of 91 in Rawalpindi. The Azad Kashmir government announced a three-day mourning period on his death.
He was a prominent leader in Azad Kashmir and played a significant role in the region’s politics. He also remained President of the All Jammu and Kashmir Muslim Conference for over 20 years.
His title, Mujahid-e-Awwal (the first holy warrior), is based on the belief that he is the person who fired the first shot in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1947.
Khan was known for his visionary leadership and authored several books on the Kashmir conflict, politics, mysticism, and spirituality.
