OKARA: Former Chief Minister of Punjab and senior Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Mian Manzoor Wattoo passed away here on Tuesday.
According to his secretary Muhammad Asif, Mian Manzoor Wattoo died after suffering from a prolonged illness and schedule for his funeral prayers will be announced later.
Mian Manzoor Wattoo belonged to Haveli Lakha and had a long political career. He also served as the Speaker of the Punjab Assembly. Following his demise, political leaders and social figures have expressed deep sorrow and condolences.
The Wattoo family remained politically influential after 1985 and continued to be part of power circles in various forms. However, in the 2018 general elections, Mian Manzoor Wattoo contested from Okara as an independent candidate, while his son Khuram Jahangir Wattoo and daughter Rubina Shaheen Wattoo contested provincial assembly seats on PTI tickets but were unsuccessful.
President Asif Ali Zardari expressed deep grief over his demise, a post on the Presidency’s X account said.
It said that the president paid tribute to Wattoo’s “invaluable public service, role in strengthening democracy, and contributions to national unity”.
State-run APP reported that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also condoled his death, saying in a statement that “services of late Manzoor Wattoo for the country’s politics will always be remembered”.
The deceased politician belonged to the PPP and also served as federal minister for Kashmir affairs during the 2008-2013 PPP-led coalition government.
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