LAHORE: Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) founder member and its former Punjab president Ahsan Rasheed on Tuesday passed away after a protracted illness. He was suffering from cancer and a heart ailment.

PTI Chairman Imran Khan, Vice Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Punjab President Ejaz Chaudhry, General Secretary Dr Yasmin Rashid, Opposition Leader in the Punjab Assembly Mian Mahmoodur Rasheed and other party leaders expressed grief and prayed for the departed soul.

In a condolence message to the bereaved family, the PTI leaders acknowledged Rasheed’s services for the party and unwavering support for the chairman since the party was founded.

Rasheed was an ideological worker of the PTI and close to Imran Khan. He actively worked for the construction and development of Shaukat Khanum Cancer Hospital.

Published in Dawn, November 26th, 2014