Mian Muhammad Azhar, a prominent political figure in Pakistan, passed away in Lahore on Tuesday after a prolonged illness. He was the father of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Hammad Azhar and had been battling health issues for several months.
Throughout his long career, Muhammad Azhar held several key positions in Pakistan’s political landscape. He served as the Governor of Punjab during Nawaz Sharif’s first term as Prime Minister in the early 1990s. Later, he became the federal commerce minister, contributing significantly to the country’s economic policies.
In the aftermath of the 1999 military coup, Mian Azhar played a pivotal role in the formation of the Pakistan Muslim League–Quaid (PML-Q), a party that supported General Pervez Musharraf’s government. Despite his earlier ties with Nawaz Sharif, Azhar’s political affiliations evolved over the years.
Earlier this year, Mian Azhar made a return to politics and contested the NA-129 (Lahore) seat in the general elections. This seat, previously held by his son Hammad Azhar, was fiercely contested. Running as an independent candidate backed by PTI, Mian Azhar defeated PML-N’s Hafiz Nauman with a significant margin. Unofficial results showed that Mian Azhar secured 103,718 votes, while his opponent received 71,540 votes. This victory was a notable achievement for Azhar in the later years of his political career.
Many political figures have expressed their grief over the loss of Mian Muhammad Azhar. Former Sindh governor and ex-PTI leader Imran Ismail offered heartfelt condolences to Hammad Azhar, praising Mian Azhar as a distinguished political figure. Federal Minister for Communications, Abdul Aleem Khan, also mourned his passing, highlighting Azhar’s political contributions that would be remembered for years.
Rana Sanaullah, an advisor to the Prime Minister, also expressed his sorrow, describing Mian Azhar as a kind man who had once been closely associated with Nawaz Sharif.
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz offered her condolences to the family, acknowledging Mian Azhar’s lifelong political service and praying for his peace. Punjab Governor Sardar Saleem Haider paid tribute to his leadership as Punjab’s governor, honoring his contributions.
Former federal minister and ex-PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry also expressed his sadness, calling Mian Azhar’s death a significant loss to the province. He expressed his condolences to Hammad Azhar, acknowledging the challenges his family is currently facing.
Mian Muhammad Azhar’s death marks the end of an era in Pakistan’s political history, and his legacy will continue to influence the political landscape of Punjab and beyond.
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