Awaam Pakistan leader Zaeem Qadri passes away at 61

Senior politician suffered heart attack; federal, provinical officials condole death

LAHORE:

Awaam Pakistan co-founder and spokesperson Zaeem Qadri passed away in the early hours of Friday aged 61.

Qadri, a former provincial minister and once the chief spokesperson for then-Punjab chief minister and now-Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, was admitted to a private hospital in Defence three days ago due to a heart condition.

He had parted ways with the PML-N in 2018 after developing differences with the party leadership, particularly over what he termed dynastic politics. His wife, Uzma Zaeem, continued her association with the party and served as an MPA until 2023.

His funeral prayers were offered after evening prayers near his residence on Lawrence Road on Friday evening.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Tribute paid tribute to him.

وزیراعظم محمد شہباز شریف کا سینئر سیاستدان اور پنجاب کے سابق صوبائی وزیر زعیم قادری کے انتقال پر گہرے دکھ اور رنج کا اظہار

وزیراعظم کا مرحوم کے اہل خانہ سے اظہار تعزیت

وزیراعظم کی مرحوم کی بلندی ء درجات کی دعاء

اللہ تعالیٰ مرحوم کو جنت الفردوس میں اعلیٰ مقام عطا فرمائے، آمین… pic.twitter.com/GUtVAQBYfl

— PTV News (@PTVNewsOfficial) February 13, 2026

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi expressed sorrow over the death, extending sympathy and condolences to the bereaved family. "May God grant the departed soul a place in His mercy and grant the bereaved family patience," he Naqvi said.

Read More: Punjab's govt employees' sit-in enters 3rd day

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif also expressed her sorrow over Qadri's death, expressing sympathy and condolences to his family.

Punjab Assembly Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan stated, "I was deeply shocked to hear the news of the death of senior politician Zaeem Qadri," adding that the deceased's political and social services would always be remembered.

He stated that Qadri played a prominent role in public service and in the promotion of democratic values.

"I share equally in the grief of the bereaved family and express heartfelt sympathy. May God grant the departed soul a high place in His mercy and grant patience to the family," he said.

Other former PML-N colleagues of his also paid tribute to him.

إِنَّا لِلَّٰهِ وَإِنَّا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعُونَ
زعیم قادری
سابق ایم پی اے اور صوبائی وزیر

تاریک دور میں نواز شریف کے وفادار
جون 2018 میں PMLN سے ان کی علیحدگی پاکستانی سیاست کی سبق آموز مثال ہے
اللہ مغفرت فرمائے pic.twitter.com/RcxLzniZMe

— Engr. Khurram Dastgir-Khan (HI) (@kdastgirkhan) February 13, 2026

انا للہ و انا الیہ راجعون۔
زعیم قادری کے انتقال کی خبر دل کو افسردہ کر گئی۔ وہ ایک باوقار، صاف گو اور جمہوری اقدار کے علمبردار سیاسی رہنما تھے جنہوں نے اپنی زندگی عوامی خدمت اور اصولی سیاست کے لیے وقف کیے رکھی۔
انہوں نے سیاسی اختلاف کو ذاتی دشمنی میں بدلنے کے بجائے دلیل، شائستگی… pic.twitter.com/vGhkjfGWHk

— Ahsan Iqbal (@betterpakistan) February 13, 2026

آہ صاحبزادہ سید زعیم حسین قادری ۔۔۔

ھارٹ اٹیک کے نتیجہ میں چار روز موت و حیات کی کشمکش میں مبتلا رھنے کے بعد اس جہان ِ فانی سے کُوچ کر گئے ۔۔

ناقابل ِ بیان غم اور دُکھ کا عالم ھے ۔۔۔۔
ڈاکٹرز نے سر توڑ کوشش کی ، اھل خانہ و احباب مسلسل دست بدعا رھے لیکن اجل نہیں ٹل سکی۔۔ سب… pic.twitter.com/TC3QwdNW7Z

— Khawaja Saad Rafique (@KhSaad_Rafique) February 13, 2026

His last affiliated party also posted a message in his honour on X.

May Allah grant the departed soul a place in His eternal mercy and bless the family with patience and strength.
Namaz-e-Janaza
Friday February 13, 2026
Time: 6:30pm (after Maghrib Namaz)
36 Lawrence Road#Pakistan #ZaeemQadri #awaampakistan #RIP #restinpeace pic.twitter.com/jXI8HM0GBx

— Awaam Pakistan (@AwaamPakistan) February 13, 2026

"My good friend, one of Awaam Pakistan’s founder and our Punjab head, a courageous political leader and a kind and generous human being Syed Zaeem Hussain Qadri has passed away. His passing leaves a big hole in the democratic politics of Pakistan. May he rest in peace and may his family have the fortitude to bear his irreparable loss," said senior party leader Ahsan Iqbal.

انا للّٰہ وانا الیہ راجعون

My good friend, one of Awaam Pakistan’s founder and our Punjab head, a courageous political leader and a kind and generous human being Syed Zaeem Hussain Qadri has passed away. His passing leaves a big hole in the democratic politics of Pakistan. May… pic.twitter.com/Aeyy5fm24y

— Miftah Ismail (@MiftahIsmail) February 13, 2026