Veteran contractors’ leader Nazir Ahmad Zargar passes away

Ziraat Times News Deak

Srinagar, June 2: Veteran business leader and Chief Whip of the Jammu & Kashmir Central Contractors Coordination Committee (JKCCCC), Nazir Ahmad Zargar, passed away on Monday after a brief illness, triggering widespread grief across the contractors’ fraternity and business community of Jammu & Kashmir.

Condolence meetings were held across the Kashmir Valley by contractors’ associations, trade bodies, business organisations and social groups, with participants describing his demise as a significant loss to the contractors’ community and the wider business sector.

Nazir Ahmad Zargar served the contractors’ fraternity in various leadership roles over several decades, including as president of different contractors’ associations before assuming the role of Chief Whip of JKCCCC. He was widely regarded for his integrity, dedication and professional commitment.

Throughout his career, Zargar was associated with the development and maintenance of public residential and official infrastructure under the Estates Department, including government establishments and residential accommodations for ministers and senior officials. He was also known for consistently advocating the rights and interests of local contractors.

Paying tribute to the deceased leader, former President of the Federation of Chambers of Industries Kashmir (FCIK), Shakeel Qalander, described Zargar as a towering figure among Kashmir’s contractors.

“His integrity, commitment and selfless service earned him respect across all sections of society. He never compromised on principles and always worked for the collective good,” Qalander said.

JKCCCC leaders, including General Secretary Farooq Ahmad Dar and Chief Advisor Javid Ahmad Zargar, along with several senior members of the organisation, also paid tributes, remembering him as a humble and committed leader whose wisdom and sincerity earned widespread admiration.

The Kashmir Economic Alliance (KEA) expressed deep sorrow over his demise. In a joint condolence message, KEA office-bearers termed his passing a major loss to the business and contractors’ community and prayed for eternal peace to the departed soul.

Condolences continued to pour in from across Jammu & Kashmir, with business leaders, contractors and social organisations extending sympathies to the bereaved family.

Community members observed that with Zargar’s passing, Jammu & Kashmir has lost a distinguished business leader whose life was marked by professional excellence, integrity and service to the community.

The concluding day-long condolence gathering in his memory 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 assemble to offer prayers and pay their final respects.