Councillors pay tribute after tragic death of Abdul Chowdry

Abdul Chowdry

Rochdale Councillors have paid tributes to the life of Abdul Chowdry, which was lost in a road traffic accident in Pakistan this week. A minutes silence was held at a full Council meeting on Wednesday 25 July to remember the life of the former Councillor, before those present spoke about the loss of their colleague and friend.

Councillor Irene Davidson said: "It is a sad day today. Abdul will be sadly missed, he was a good friend and an excellent Councillor."

A tribute to the life of Abdul Chowdry will be played on Crescent Radio on Saturday 28 July from 1pm to 4pm.

Leader of the Rochdale Labour Party Councillor Allen Brett said: "It is very sad and very tragic that today we are mourning the loss of a Councillor, a comrade and a friend."

Mr Chowdury's family have now flown out to Pakistan for his funeral.

Councillor Jane Gartside said: "Abdul made huge strides in the town as Rochdale's first Asian Councillor. He was very smart, good looking and always very very polite to everybody. He was honoured in the town and it is sad news that today we have lost a friend."

Mr Chowdury was on his way to the airport near Islamabad to catch a flight home when his car careered into a lorry.

Mr Chowdry, aged 53, of Edmund Street, Spotland, had been visiting various projects set up in Pakistan by the group he helped create, the Friends of Sahiwal. He was about to fly home from Islamabad for the wedding of his niece Saddiqa Nazir at Whitworth Civic Hall when the tragedy happened.

Mr Chowdry was born in India and raised in Nairobi before later moving to Rochdale with his family. Over the years he became a prominent local figure, and one of the country's first Asian councillors - representing Smallbridge and Wardleworth for the Labour party. He was also a magistrate for over two decades, a director and trustee of Spotland and Falinge Community Centre, a national Health and Safety Commissioner and a former Health amp; Safety manager at the Turner Brothers Asbestos factory in Spodden Valley.