Ex-Punjab Chief Minister Mian Manzoor Wattoo passes away

Former Punjab Chief Minister Mian Manzoor Wattoo, a senior leader of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), has passed away. Funeral arrangements will be announced at a later date. Mian Manzoor Wattoo served as Chief Minister of Punjab in 1993. He also served as Speaker of the Punjab Assembly and Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs.

Expressing grief over his passing, PPP leadership from central Punjab conveyed their condolences, stating that the party leadership and workers stand with the bereaved family during this time of sorrow. Raja Pervez Ashraf said the party shares the family’s grief, while Hasan Murtaza prayed for the late leader’s peace.

Shaikh Shahzad Saeed Cheema extended prayers for patience and strength for his family, including Khurram Jahangir Wattoo, Jahanzeb Wattoo, Muazzam Wattoo, Zeeshan Wattoo, Robina Shaheen Wattoo, Jahaan Ara Wattoo, and Amna Wattoo.

Mian Manzoor Wattoo’s political career spanned several decades and multiple parties. He began his political journey with the Pakistan Muslim League from 1985 to 1993, joined the Pakistan Muslim League (Junejo) from 1993 to 1995, and then the Pakistan Muslim League (Jinnah) from 1995 to 2002. He was part of the Pakistan Muslim League (Q) from 2002 to 2008, joined the Pakistan Peoples Party from 2008 to 2018, briefly aligned with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf from 2018 to 2020, and later rejoined the PPP in 2020.

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi has expressed deep sorrow over the passing of Manzoor Wattoo, paying tribute to his political services and extending heartfelt condolences to his bereaved family. He prayed that Allah grant the late Mian Manzoor Wattoo a place in Jannah and give his family patience and strength to bear the loss. 

Governor Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Faisal Karim Kundi, expressed profound grief over the passing of Mian Manzoor. “Manzoor Wattoo’s passing is a significant loss to national politics. Throughout his political career, he remained committed to national interests and public service. He was a sincere and highly principled personality. We share equally in the grief of his bereaved family,” Kundi stated.

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has expressed profound grief over the former Chief Ministers' passing. “With his passing, the nation has lost a wise and experienced political figure,” said the Chief Minister.