Afghan King Zahir Shah dies, RS Dy Chairman to attend funeral

Kabul/New Delhi, July 23 (UNI) Former Afghan King, Mohammad Zahir Shah, died in Kabul today after prolonged illness.

He was 92.

President A P J Abdul Kalam, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee conveyed their condolences to the Government of Afghanistan at the demise of the former King.

In their messages, they recalled King Zahir Shah's commitment to friendly relations between Afghanistan and India.

Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman A Rahman Khan and Water Resources Minister Saifuddin Soz will represent India at the funeral tomorrow.

As a special mark of respect, the National Flag will fly at half mast at all Government buildings in the capital and in Indian Missions and Posts abroad during the day tomorrow.

King Zahir Shah ruled Afghanistan from 1933 to 1973 when he was deposed by his cousin Prince Daoud. After being deposed, he lived in exile in Italy before returning home in 2002 after the fall of Taliban and the formation of Loya Jirga.

He was born in Kabul in 1914 and educated in France. He returned to Kabul and became King in 1933 after his father was assassinated.

Modern in outlook, he was opposed to Afghan women wearing purdah.

Also known as Baba-e-Millat, he was witness to the most turbulent times in his country during his lifetime, including the Soviet invasion and the Taliban years.

Confined to a wheelchair, the former King could walk with difficulty.

Former External Affairs Minister Natwar Singh had called on him during his visit brief stopover in Afghanistan when he was on his way to Pakistan.

UNI