LAHORE, March 5: Sikandar Malhi, one of the founder members the PML-Q, died of cancer at his Gulberg residence on Friday. He was 62.
A former member of the National Assembly, Mr Malhi underwent three surgeries during the past few months. His condition improved slightly, but then there was an abrupt deterioration.
His funeral will be taken out from 2-B, Canal Park, Gulberg II, near Rana Shaukat Mahmood's residence, at 9:30am. He leaves behind a widow and a daughter. Though bed-ridden, Mr Malhi had asked his colleagues many a time about the working of the party and the government. He always complained that the government was not doing enough for the welfare of the electorate.
Mr Malhi had his own views about strengthening democracy. He had once proposed that every army chief after his retirement should be elected president. This, he said, was the best way to prevent military interventions.
PML-Q president Shujaat Husain, Punjab Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi and his special assistant Syed Mowahid Husain had recently visited Mr Malhi to inquire after him.
Chaudhry Shujaat sat on Mr Malhi's bedside for quite some time and exchanged views with him on the prevailing situation. Prime minister's political assistant Rana Nazir Ahmad offered condolences on the death of Mr Malhi. In a statement, Mr Rana said Mr Malhi's service to the party would be remembered for a long time.
