PESHAWAR: Senior Awami National Party (ANP) leader Senator Muhammad Azam Khan Hoti died here on Wednesday. He was 69 years old.

Hoti, who had been suffering from cancer, was born in Mardan in April 1946 and remained a popular figure there.

He joined Pakistan Army as a commissioned officer in 1970 but took early retirement as a captain. He, along with other ANP leaders, was exiled to Kabul during Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto's government in 1975 and was jailed during Ziaul Haq's government.

Father of former Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Ameer Haider Khan Hoti, he was lovingly known by his nickname 'Baba' (Father) in Mardan.

Hoti was the brother of Senior ANP leader Begum Naseem Wali and brother-in-law of ANP chief Asfandyar Wali.

The late senator was elected a Member of National Assembly (MNA) twice and served as federal minister for communication during both previous tenures of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

He was elected a senator on an ANP ticket in 2012, and previously in 1993.

Hoti entered into a rift with ANP leadership in 2013 when he levelled serious allegations against Asfandyar and held him responsible for the party’s massive defeat in 2013 general elections.

Hoti is survived by his two wives, two sons and a daughter.

His funeral services will take place in Mardan.