PPP stalwart Agha Siraj Durrani dies

President, PM, other political leaders express deep sorrow, grief over his death

KARACHI:

Senior Pakistan Peoples Party leader and former speaker of the Sindh Assembly, Agha Siraj Durrani, has passed away. President Asif Ali Zardari and Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah have expressed deep sorrow and grief over his death.

Agha Siraj Durrani passed away at the age of 72 while under treatment at a private hospital in Karachi. The senior Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader had suffered a brain haemorrhage a month ago and had been hospitalised since. His condition deteriorated again a few days ago, and doctors confirmed his death on Wednesday.

Agha Siraj Durrani, considered among the senior-most leaders of the PPP, was born on October 5, 1953 in Shikarpur. He received his early education from St Patrick's High School and later obtained a law degree (LLB) from Sindh Muslim Government Law College.

He was elected twice as Speaker of the Sindh Assembly and held the position from May 31, 2013, to May 24, 2024. He also served as acting Governor of Sindh from March to October 2022.

Durrani had been associated with the Pakistan Peoples Party for over four decades. He was first elected to the Sindh Assembly in 1988, served as provincial minister three times, and as Speaker twice. He was regarded as a trusted ally of the late Benazir Bhutto and President Asif Ali Zardari.