Veteran politician Mian Azhar passes away

Mian Muhammad Azhar, a veteran Pakistani politician and former Governor of Punjab, passed away on Tuesday at the age of 83 after a prolonged illness, family sources confirmed.

He was the father of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader and former federal minister Hammad Azhar.

Born in 1942, Mian Azhar had a distinguished career in politics, governance, and business. He served as the Governor of Punjab from 1990 to 1993 and held multiple terms as a Member of the National Assembly.

He also served as Mayor of Lahore from 1987 to 1990, where his leadership significantly influenced municipal governance.

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A prominent figure in party politics, Mian Azhar was the founding president of the Pakistan Muslim League–Quaid (PML-Q), a key political player in the early 2000s. In 2011, he joined PTI and remained politically active, most recently being elected as an MNA from NA-129 (Lahore-XIII) in the 2024 general elections.

Beyond his political contributions, Mian Azhar was also a successful businessman, serving as the CEO of Afco Steel Industries — one of Pakistan’s major steel manufacturing enterprises.

His influence extended to sports as well; he served as President of the Pakistan Football Federation from 1990 to 2003, promoting the growth of football in the country.

Mian Muhammad Azhar leaves behind a legacy marked by public service, political leadership, and entrepreneurial success.