ISLAMABAD: Veteran politician and parliamentary leader of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) in the Senate Mushahidullah Khan was laid to rest in Islamabad’s H-11 graveyard on Thursday.

His funeral prayers were attended by a large number of people from all walks of life.

The PML-N leader passed away early Thursday morning after a protracted illness. He was 68.

Mushahidullah Khan has left behind a wife, two sons and two daughters as mourners.

The outspoken PML-N senator, who was known for his hard-hitting speeches and use of meaningful poetry verses in a unique style, had been suffering from liver cancer and was bed-ridden for the past few weeks.

Mr Khan, who had started his politics as a student and later as a trade unionist, had been associated with the PML-N for past three decades and was considered to be a true loyalist of the party and its supreme leader Nawaz Sharif.

Condolences

“I am saddened to hear the news about the death of Senator Mushahidullah Khan. I have lost a steadfast, brave, courageous and loyal companion who was the voice of democratic forces and supremacy of the constitution,” wrote Mr Sharif on his official social media account on Twitter hours after the late senator was laid to rest in Islamabad’s H-11 graveyard.

Vice-president of the PML-N Maryam Nawaz also paid rich tribute to Mr Khan and called him an “exceptional and loyal companion” her father Nawaz Sharif.

“I am shattered to hear the sad news. (I) will never be able to forget his fatherly affection and love. Huge, huge loss,” Ms Nawaz tweeted.Condolence messages started pouring in from leaders of all political parties, including Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani, Speaker of National Assembly Asad Qaiser, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and Information Minister Shibli Faraz.

Former president Asif Zardari and PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari also paid rich tribute to Mushahidullah Khan for his services for the cause of democracy and supremacy of the Constitution in the country.

Published in Dawn, February 19th, 2021