Elahi Baksh Soomro passes away

Veteran politician breathed his last at age 98

KARACHI:

Elahi Baksh Soomro, a veteran politician, who remained associated with the Muslim League his entire life, breathed his last in Karachi on Wednesday after protracted illness at age 98, the Soomro family announced.

Soomro, who served as the National Assembly speaker during the second term of then prime minister Nawaz Sharif from 1997 to 1999, and held ministerial posts in several previous governments, was leading a private life since 2017.

"It is with great sadness that I announce the death of my grandfather, former Speaker of the National Assembly of Pakistan Mr. Elahi Bakhsh Soomro Sahib," his grandson Maula Bux Soomro said in a Facebook post. He added that the funeral prayer will be offered in Karachi at 1 pm Thursday (today).

Born on May 15, 1926, Soomro came from the influential political family of Shikarpur-Jacobabad districts. An engineer by profession, he also remained director general of the Karachi Development Authority (KDA) and head of the prestigious Pakistan Engineering Council for a record four times.

In politics, the late Soomro was elected to the National Assembly multiple times from Sindh. He was the 16th speaker of the National Assembly from 1997-99. Before that he served as federal minister for industries, housing, defence production, science and technology, information and others.

He announced his retirement from politics in 2017, saying that he was 93 years old, and quitting politics. "I started politics with Muslim League and I am still in Muslim League even after retiring from politics. I am still a member of the League and all my services are for the Muslim League," he had stated.

Tributes poured in as soon as news of his passing broke. Speaker Ayaz Sadiq expressed his deep sorrow and grief over the death of former speaker Soomro. He prayed for the elevation of the ranks of the departed soul.

Sindh Governor Kamran Khan Tessori said in a statement: "I am disheartened to hear about the death of the sophisticated Elahi Bux Soomro. Today, we have lost a heartwarming personality," he added. Politician Javed Hashmi said Soomro would "always be remembered in the fondest of memories".