Veteran politician Ilyas Bilour passes away

PESHAWAR:

Prominent industrialist and leader of Awami National Party (ANP) Ilyas Ahmad Bilour passed away in Peshawar on Saturday afternoon at the age of 84.

He had the honour of serving the upper house of parliament for four consecutive times.

According to family sources, Bilour had been on ventilator for several days following kidney failure. His condition worsened last night and he passed away shortly thereafter.

The funeral prayer of the deceased will be offered at Wazir Bagh on Sunday (today) at 2pm.

Bilour was first elected as senator on ANP ticket in 1994. He was the brother of former federal minister Haji Ghulam Bilour and Shaheed Bashir Bilour.

Born in 1940, Bilour received his early education at Government Primary School Mohalla Khudadad. He graduated from Edwardes College and completed his MBA from Preston University, Peshawar.

He moved to Rawalpindi in 1965 to expand his family's business where he earned significant recognition and respect within the business community.

In 1969, Bilour was elected as the President of the Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry. He also endured solitary confinement in Rawalpindi jail where he was provided B-class facilities.

Bilour was first elected as a senator on ANP ticket in 1994. He served multiple terms, from 1994 to 2000; 2003 to 2006; 2006 to 2012 and from 2012 to 2018.

He was elected president of the Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) in 1993 and the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry in 1996.

He was also the president of the SAARC Chamber of Commerce, the India-Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and a lifetime member of the SAARC Central Committee.

Senior office bearers of SCCI expressed grief over the ANP leader's demise.

A statement issued by the SCCI stated that Bilour's contributions to the business community would always be remembered and the void created by his death would never be filled.

The SCCI announced a three-day mourning period and the suspension of all activities until Monday.

Bilour served as a member of the Senate four times and consistently advocated for the business community on every platform.

President SCCI Fazal Moqeem Khan stated that Bilour's contributions to the business community as well as his efforts in promoting trade and exports would be remembered for decades to come.

President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed grief and sorrow over the passing of the former senator.

The president extended his heartfelt condolences to the family members of the ANP leader.

He prayed to the Almighty to grant eternal peace to the departed soul and provide strength to the bereaved family to bear the loss.

The prime minister expressed grief over Bilour's demise, according to a statement issued by the PM Office Press Wing.

"Ilyas Ahmed Bilour's remarkable services for the welfare of the people are commendable," PM Shehbaz said.

"The late leader's political contributions will be remembered," the premier noted, adding that void left in the political landscape by his passing would be difficult to fill.