Zahir Shah’s death anniversary observed

KABUL): The sixth death anniversary of former King Mohammad Zahir Shah (1914 -2007) was observed in the capital Kabul on Tuesday.

After the assassination of his father, Mohammad Nadir Shah, Zahir Shah was proclaimed the king of Afghanistan on November 8, 1933 at the age of 19.

He ruled the country for 40 years. Zahir Shah was undergoing an eye surgery in Italy in 1972, when his cousin and former prime minister Mohammad Daud staged a coup and established a republican government.

In April 2002, when the country was no longer under Taliban, which met in June 2002. He was given the title of “Father of the Nation” that he held until his death.

He attended the December 7, 2004 swearing-in of President Hamid Karzai. Shah died in 2007 at the age of 92.

As a floral wreath was laid at his tomb, Shah’s sixth death anniversary was attended by high-ranking officials, foreign diplomats and family members.

Defence Minister Bismillah Mohammadi, Advisor to President on Military Affairs Abdul Rahim Wardak and relatives were also in attendance.

“The Father of the Nation may not be physically with us but his thoughts are with the nation,” his grandson, Mustafa Zahir, told the audience.

He thanked the government and the people for remembering the last king by praying for peace and stability in Afghanistan. He said Zahir Shah had always wished a peaceful life for the Afghans.

“There was peace and stability during Zahir Shah’s rule and the current government should follow in his footsteps,” said a 60 year-old Kabul resident, Syed Omar.

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