Former envoy Wajid Shamsul Hasan passes away in London

Hasan had been suffering from prolonged illness; funeral prayers to be offered in London

LONDON:

Veteran journalist, renowned intellectual and former ambassador Wajid Shamsul Hasan passed away in London on Tuesday.

Hasan, with over 40 years of association with journalism, breathed his last at the Royal Free Hospital.

He had been suffering from a prolonged illness for over the past two years and had been under treatment over the past six weeks.

The former ambassador was known for his unflinching support for democracy in Pakistan and was also a close confidante of late prime minister Benazir Bhutto. He had served as Pakistan's high commissioner to the UK from 2008-2013.

Hassan also played a pivotal role in drafting the famous Charter of Democracy signed between the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) in 2007.

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Reacting to the stalwart's demise, PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said he was saddened and so were other party members and leaders.

“With the death of Wajid today, Pakistan has lost a patriot,” Bilawal said, adding that the “Truth of the matter is that he was not only PPP’s but the entire nation’s asset".

The PPP chairperson went on to add that Hasan rendered invaluable services for journalism and democracy, and prayed for eternal peace for the departed soul.

“His father Nawab Shamsul Hasan had remained Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s associate for 40 years. He was also the Bhutto family’s great friend,” he concluded.

According to the late envoy's family, his funeral prayers will be offered at the Regent Mosque, London on Friday.