Srinagar | Senior National Conference leader and former member of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Council, Sheikh Ghulam Qadir Pardesi, died here after prolonged illness, family sources said on Wednesday.

The 88-year-old NC leader passed away on Tuesday night.

He is survived by his wife and son Ahsan Pardesi, who is the current NC MLA from Lal Chowk constituency, and four daughters.

The funeral prayers for the departed leader would be held at 11 am, and he would be laid to rest at his ancestral graveyard in Batwara area of the city here, they added.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed grief over the demise of the senior party leader.

"Inna Lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un. Sending my heartfelt condolences to my colleague @ahsanpardesi on the sad demise of his father Ghulam Qadir Pardesi Sb. Pardesi Sb, a former member of the Legislative Council & senior leader of @JKNC_ passed away late last night. May Allah grant him highest place in Jannat & give the family strength at this difficult time. Allah taala magfirat farmaye," Abdullah said in a post on his personal handle on X