QUETTA, Oct 29: Balochistan Minister for Local Bodies Abdul Khaliq Bashardost died of cardiac arrest early on Monday, family sources said.

He was buried in his ancestral graveyard in Zhob district in the afternoon.

Chief Minister Nawab Mohammad Aslam Raisani and provincial ministers offered condolences over Mr Bashardost’s death.

Mr Bashardost contested the 2008 election for the Balochistan Assembly’s constituency PB-18 Sherani/Zhob as an independent candidate and won. Later, he joined Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (Ideological) but was expelled from the party when he refused to resign as minister in line with his party policy. The JUI-Ideological had opposed the federal government’s decision to reopen routes for trucks carrying supplies for Nato troops in Afghanistan.

APP adds: Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf expressed deep grief and sorrow over the passing away of Mr Bashardost.

In a message, Mr Ashraf conveyed his heartfelt condolences and sympathies to the bereaved family.