Mian Muhammad Azhar, a former governor of Punjab and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) MNA, died in Lahore on Tuesday following a protracted illness.
Hammad Azhar, the leader of the PTI, was his son. Over the past few months, the seasoned lawmaker has been receiving treatment for a serious illness.
Over the course of his lengthy political career, Mian Azhar held a number of important roles.
He was appointed federal minister for commerce after serving as Punjab’s governor during Nawaz Sharif’s first term as prime minister in the early 1990s.
In the wake of the 1999 military takeover, he was also instrumental in the establishment of the Pakistan Muslim League–Quaid (PML-Q).
Mian Azhar returned to electoral politics in the general elections earlier this year, successfully running for the National Assembly seat from NA-129 (Lahore), which had been held by his son Hammad Azhar.
He defeated Hafiz Nauman of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) by a wide margin while running as an independent supported by the PTI.
A day after voting, unofficial figures showed that Hafiz Nauman had 71,540 votes and Mian Azhar had 103,718.
With 105,734 votes, Hammad Azhar had already won the seat in the 2018 elections.
Sending condolences
Cross-party politicians expressed their profound sorrow over the experienced leader’s passing. Abdul Aleem Khan, the president of the Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP), lamented Mian Azhar’s death and described him as “a man of a kind personality whose political and national services will always be remembered.”
Maryam Nawaz, the chief minister of Punjab, also conveyed her sorrow over the passing of former governor Mian Azhar.
She acknowledged his political contributions, expressed her deepest sympathies and condolences to the grieving family, and prayed for the deceased’s eternal rest in her message.
“Mian Azhar’s services as Governor of Punjab will always be remembered,” said Punjab Governor Sardar Saleem Haider, who also offered his condolences.
He was a prominent politician whose influence on national politics will never be forgotten. Imran Ismail, a PTI leader and former governor of Sindh, also offered his condolences for Mian Azhar’s passing, calling him a notable political figure.
“Deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Mian Muhammad Azhar, MNA of PTI and a distinguished political figure,” he wrote in a message shared on social media site X (previously Twitter). I send my deepest sympathies to my good buddy Hammad Azhar and his family at this trying time.
Fawad Chaudhry, a PTI leader and former federal minister, also expressed his sympathies, describing the loss as a “deep wound for the province.”
Very regrettable and depressing. One of Lahore’s greatest scholars was Mian Azhar Sahib. Punjab as a whole is in mourning at his passing. At a time when the issues are still not resolved, may Allah grant Hammad Azhar the fortitude to endure this shock.”
