The body of former chairman of the High Peace Council (HPC) Sayed Ahmad Gailani was laid to rest in his home district of Surkhrod in Nangarhar province in eastern Afghanistan on Monday.

CEO Abdullah Abdullah attended the burial ceremony along with hundreds of local residents and some high ranking government officials.

Highlighting Gailani’s peace initiatives, the CEO said that Gailani’s contribution towards restoring peace and stability in Afghanistan deserves appreciation. Abdullah also said government was looking into the issue of a successor.

Abdullah reiterated the NUG’s commitment for peace and security in the country.

Earlier in the day, a funeral ceremony was held for Gailani at the Presidential Palace in Kabul.

President Ashraf Ghani and Abdullah were both in attendance, along with dozens of high-ranking government officials as well as former president Hamid Karzai.

Gailani died on Saturday after a short illness.