Obituary: Sher Afgan Niazi passes away
His funeral prayers will be offered 10:30am today (Friday) in Mianwali, said his family.
Born on January 1, 1946, in Wandhi Ghund Wali Tehsil, Mianwali district, he obtained an MBBS degree from Nishtar Medical College, Multan in 1968. Dr Niazi subsequently set up a private clinic named al Razi Hospital in his native town.
Niazi started his political career as a district council member in 1979 and was elected to the National Assembly (NA) four times – 1985-1987, 1988-1990, 1993-1996 and 2002-2007.
Once an active member of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Niazi served as minister for law, justice and parliamentary affairs and human rights in former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto’s cabinet from 1993 to 1996.
Soon after the 2002 general elections, he defected to former President Pervez Musharraf’s camp and joined Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q). He was among the key legal brains of the Musharraf regime and served as minister for law, justice and parliamentary affairs once again.
Until lately, Niazi was a staunch supporter of Musharraf, defending him at critical junctures during and after his regime.
He lost the 2008 elections to an independent candidate Humair Hayat Khan Rokhri. He had joined former president Musharraf’s newly-formed political party, the All Pakistan Muslim League but retired from active politics a few months back due to health conditions.
Though a medical doctor by profession, he was an expert in constitutional affairs. He was famous for memorising all articles of the Constitution.
Dr Niazi suffered a serious emotional setback in October 2002 when his young son Behram Khan died in a car crash in the federal capital. He had been fighting a legal case against the vehicle’s manufacturer.
He leaves behind an ailing wife, son and political heir Amid Khan Niazi, and two daughters.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 12th, 2012.
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I have seen no one in the whole world who remembers constitution of his country the way he used to do.