‘Business leader who never compromised on principles’
SRINAGAR: The trade and business fraternity of Jammu and Kashmir, particularly the contractors’ community, has mourned the demise of veteran business leader and Chief Whip of the Jammu & Kashmir Central Contractors Coordination Committee (JKCCCC), Nazir Ahmad Zargar, who passed away on Monday after a brief illness.
As news of his demise spread, condolence meetings were held across the Kashmir Valley by trade bodies, contractors’ associations, business organizations, and social groups, with speakers describing his passing as a great loss to the contractors’ fraternity and the wider business community.
Nazir Ahmad Zargar served the contractors’ community in various leadership positions for several decades, including as President of different contractors’ associations and later as Chief Whip of JKCCCC. Widely respected in political, bureaucratic, and business circles for his honesty, dedication, and sincerity, he played a significant role in the development and maintenance of public residential and official assets under the Estates Department, including important government establishments and residential accommodations for ministers and senior officials. He remained a steadfast advocate for the rights and interests of local contractors.
Paying rich tributes, former President of the Federation of Chambers of Industries Kashmir (FCIK), Shakeel Qalander, described Zargar as a towering personality among the Valley’s contractors who had earned immense respect through his dedication, hard work, and professional excellence.
“Nazir Ahmad Zargar possessed the rare ability of balancing the interests of his community with his deep sense of responsibility towards public assets and public expenditure. He was a business leader who never compromised on principles and always worked for the collective good. His integrity, commitment, and selfless service earned him respect across all sections of society,” Qalander said.
JKCCCC General Secretary Farooq Ahmad Dar, Chief Advisor Javid Ahmad Zargar, senior leaders Arshid Ahmad Bhat, Ishfaq Ahmad Khan, Umer Javid, Sheikh Javid, Zaffer Ahmad, Riyaz Ahmad, Mohammed Rafiq Wani, Tariq Kawdari, and other members paid heartfelt tributes, remembering him as a humble, sincere, and committed leader.
The Kashmir Economic Alliance (KEA) also expressed deep sorrow. In a joint condolence message, KEA Chairman M. Yousuf Chapri, Secretary Mehraj-ud-Din Ganaie, Haji Wali Mohammad, Abdul Hamid Sher Gujri, and Shiraz Ahmad termed his passing a great loss.
Condolences continue to pour in from across Jammu and Kashmir to the bereaved family, particularly his sons Basharat Nazir Zargar and Ishrat Nazir Zargar, sons-in-law Pirzadah Sajad Rasool Shah and Shiekh Shafaqat Hussain, and lifelong friend and associate Iftikhar Ahmad Qadiri.
The concluding day-long condolence meeting is scheduled to be held on Wednesday at the Gulab Bagh residence of the bereaved family, where members of the business community, friends, and well-wishers are expected to gather to offer prayers and pay their final respects. Mourners observed that with his passing, Jammu and Kashmir has lost a distinguished business leader whose life exemplified integrity, professional excellence, and selfless service.